The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to reduce air and surface pathogens in publicly occupied indoor spaces. This study evaluates the effects of an advanced photocatalytic (APC) air purification system on both the air and surface microbial burden in a dental school oral surgery department.
Samples were collected from two operatories, where aerosol generating procedures were regularly performed, for three consecutive days prior to use of APC units, and for three consecutive days two weeks after a CASPR Compact APC unit was installed and running continuously in each room. Total aerobic bacterial counts were measured in the air and on surfaces using agar settling plates (n = 36) and cellulose environmental testing sponges (n = 60).
The APC units yielded a 76% reduction (p = 0.0015; 95% confidence interval, 17 to 529 CFUs) in the aerobic bacterial count measured on surfaces, and a 58% reduction (p = 0.0012; 95% confidence interval, 35 to 95 CFUs) in the aerobic bacterial count measured in the air.
The APC air purification system provides a promising solution to reduce air and surface microbial burden in dental environments, where aerosol generating procedures are regularly performed.
Dental clinics produce high amounts of bioaerosols and likely present higher risks for disease transmission. Implementing APC air purification technology may help to mitigate risk.
Photocatalytic Oxidizers, PCO, CASPR, Aerosols, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Dental Clinic, Oral Surgery
OTHER CASE STUDIES BY FACILITY TYPE:
SCHOOLS & BUSSES
CASPR’s mobile and in-duct disinfection technology uses a proprietary Natural Catalytic Converter (NCC) process that extracts oxygen and moisture from ambient air and then produces and continuously delivers a low concentration (less than 0.1 ppm) of gaseous hydrogen peroxide to clean a target area.
With so much attention on finding the safest and most effective ways to
protect kids and teachers during school, Sterasure, a Canadian biotechnology distributor, worked with Sporometrics, an accredited laboratory, to test and demonstrate the real-world effectiveness of CASPR’s technology in a school setting. The test was arranged through a Toronto preschool and kindergarten school in October 2020.
During the test, the school’s air was analyzed along with multiple surfaces for bacterial load. The CASPR 5000 In-Duct units were then installed, and the environment was tested again two weeks later. The surfaces tested included various high-touch surfaces, including keyboards, bathroom surfaces, desks, furniture and tech equipment.
students safe during transit. Aerobic bacteria were chosen as a surrogate to general pathogen presence but are not limiting. NCC technology has been proven effective against most other prevalent viruses, fungi and bacteria. Implementation of this system will result in a reduced bio burden on the buses and therefore should minimize the risk of pathogen transmission.
Efficacy Testing of 3 Air and Surface Disinfecting Technologies
An independent laboratory conducted testing on HVAC air and surface disinfection systems to evaluate their ability to reduce pathogens. The FDA-compliant lab compared products from three different companies using three different technology strategies
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Laboratory Testing Report: Efﬁcacy of CASPR units with NCC technology at continuously inactivating SARS nCoV2 on surfaces in a controlled laboratory environment