Inactivation of airborne bacterial endospores with OAUGDP

Summary form only given. Atmospheric Glow Technologies (AGT) has developed an innovative means of safeguarding indoor environments using One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP/sup TM/). AGT has placed an atmospheric plasma device within HVAC duct work and is using reactive chemical species present in the exhaust from this device to neutralize biological agents captured on filter media. This plasma device, using air only, requires no additives. Importantly, since our design does not impede airflow, those flow rates typical for HVAC systems can be maintained. The biological inactivation achieved by this system is broad-spectrum and includes bacterial endospores. AGT routinely achieves neutralization of 6 logs of Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly B. subtilis variant niger, ATCC 9372) endospores within 5-20 minutes up to 2 feet downstream depending upon airflow parameters. Data correlating biological inactivation with electrical and airflow parameters will be presented. Ongoing research indicates singlet delta oxygen plays a significant role in OAUGDP-based biological neutralization. Liability of microorganisms was assessed using standard plate counts from filter media. All plates were incubated for a minimum of 96 h at 37/spl deg/C in order to accurately quantify any surviving organisms. The ability to provide broad-spectrum reduction of air-borne biological agents indicates that the use of a duct-mounted OAUGDP atmospheric plasma device can provide a reliable, unobtrusive means of protecting high-risk buildings.