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Updated: May 3, 2026
Treating Surfaces with a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma using the COST-Jet
Published on: November 2, 2020
Cold air plasma to decontaminate inanimate surfaces of the hospital environment
Orla J Cahill1, Tânia Claro, Niall O'Connor
1School of Electronic Engineering and National Centre for Plasma Science Technology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
The hospital environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the hospital environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical environment.
Insights
Cold air plasma effectively decontaminates hospital surfaces from dangerous bacteria like MRSA and VRE. This rapid, non-toxic method offers a promising alternative for preventing health care-associated infections in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Hospital environments are prone to bacterial contamination, leading to health care-associated infections.
- Multiresistant bacteria pose a significant threat, spreading via contaminated surfaces.
- Current biodecontamination methods have limitations, including toxicity and lengthy aeration times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cold air plasma as an effective in vitro biodecontamination agent for hospital surfaces.
- To assess the efficacy of cold air plasma against common nosocomial pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Cultures of MRSA, VRE, ESBL-producing E. coli, and A. baumannii were applied to hospital-like materials.
- Materials were exposed to cold air plasma for 30, 60, and 90 seconds.
- Bacterial load reduction was quantified after plasma treatment.
Main Results:
- Cold air plasma significantly reduced bacterial load across all tested pathogens.
- Reductions ranged from log 1.7 for A. baumannii to log 3 for MRSA.
- Effective decontamination was achieved in short exposure times.
Conclusions:
- Cold air plasma demonstrates potent antibacterial activity against nosocomial bacteria on various surfaces.
- This technology presents a viable, rapid, and potentially less toxic alternative for routine hospital biodecontamination.
- Further research may support its implementation in clinical environments to enhance patient safety.
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