Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Removal of Serratia marcescens Aerosols Using an Electrostatic Precipitator Air-Cleaner

  • Ko, Gwang-Pyo (Department of Environmental Health, Institute for Health and Environment, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Burge, Harriet (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health)
  • Published : 2007.10.30
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Abstract

We characterized the efficacy of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) air-cleaner in reducing the concentration of Serratia marcescens in an enclosed space. We used an experimental room ($4.5{\times}3{\times}2.9\;m$) in which electrostatic air-cleaners were located. Two air-cleaners enhanced the equivalent ventilation rates in the chamber by about 3.3 air changes per hour (ACH) over the 2 ACH provided by the mechanical ventilation system. Natural die-off of the organisms provided an additional equivalent of 3 ACH, so that the total ventilation rate with the ESP air-ccleaners was 8.3 ACH. We also examined whether the ESP air-cleaners altered the deposition of Serratia marcescens aerosols on the experimental room surfaces. We did not find any significant differences in the number of colony forming units recovered from surfaces with and without the air-cleaners. We installed UV lights inside the ESPs and determined if UV light, in addition to electrical fields, increased the efficacy of the ESPs. The presence of UV light inside the ESP reduced S. marcescens aerosols by approximately 2 ACH. Finally, a box model indicates that the efficiency of the air-cleaner increases for both biological and nonbiological particles at ventilation rates of 0.2-1, which are typical for residential settings.

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