Test in 8 people office in laboratory

OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study is was to verify the sir sterilizing device efficiency in reducing airborne bacteria and fungus levels in closed rooms. The study is meant to evaluate the microbial charge in room 1048 of the Industrial Microbiology Laboratory of INETI during the functioning (33 days) of said device manufactured under license of US patent 5874050

METHODOLOGY

Test conditions characterization
The device was plugged in room 1048 of the Industrial Microbiology Laboratory after 14 days of room regular use without any type of cleaning or disinfection. This room area is around 20.5 m2. It is considered as a working office having considerable quantity of bibliographic material. The daily average affluence was of 7 to 9 people

Culture means utilized in the room airborne microorganism count

Fungus: Malt Extract Agar (MEA) Difco
Bacteria: Trypona Soya Agar (TSA) Oxoid

Incubation Conditions

Fungus: 25ºC 5 to 7 days
Bactéria: 30ºC 3 days
All results for bacteria and fungus were expressed total existent microorganisms per 1 m3 of the room’s air. Each value represents the arithmetic average of 3 samples.

Table 1. Initial and final bacterial count values and correspondent percentage reduction for the studied device. For the initial count the four last counts were considered prior to connecting device. For the final count only the last three counts were considered before disconnecting device.
Initial Count (ufc/m3) Final Count (ufc/m3) Reduction
(4 reading average) (3 reading average) (%)
715 90 87

Table 2. Initial and final fungi counts and correspondent device reduction percentage. The procedures for the initial and final counts were the same as for previous Table.
Initial Count (ufc/m3) Final Count (ufc/m3) Reduction
(4 reading average) (3 reading average) (%)
375 7 98

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Lisbon, May 20, 2003

Micology Responsible The LMI Director

(signature) (signature)

Pablo Tavares Pereira José Carlos Roseiro