A Study on Disinfection Performance of Mobile Airborne Disinfection System with Hydrogen Peroxide in Complex Areas

Abstract

Airborne Surface Disinfection (ASD) effectively neutralizes surface bioburden using a combination of specialized devices and disinfectants. This crucial technique is widely adopted in sensitive environments like operating theatres, microbiology and virology laboratories, and facilities manufacturing life-saving drugs. Its effectiveness is validated against various microorganisms. The success of ASD depends on several factors: the ASD device, disinfectant type, the target location's complexity and occupancy, and environmental factors such as relative humidity, temperature, and materials present. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a preferred disinfectant for this application. Complex target areas often necessitate multiple devices or extended disinfection times. Integrating an ASD device onto a robotic platform can significantly enhance efficiency by reducing the need for multiple machines and shortening overall disinfection cycles without compromising efficacy. A study in a 307 cu.mt. complex location investigated the effectiveness of different ASD devices and H2O2 concentrations. The study compared a portable device (three units) with MASCA, a fogging device on a robotic platform, using both 6% and 7.5% H2O2. Chemical indicators verified disinfectant distribution, while biological indicators confirmed disinfection efficacy, both showing a >4 log reduction in bioburden. Significantly, MASCA with 7.5% H2O2 achieved successful disinfection in 124 minutes with a single unit, compared to 181 minutes with three portable devices, saving 58 minutes. Similarly, MASCA with 6% H2O2 completed disinfection in 156 minutes versus 197 minutes for the portable units, saving 41 minutes. This demonstrates the superior efficiency of the robotic platform in complex environments.