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Assessing microbial decontamination of indoor air with particular focus on human pathogenic viruses

Caroline Duchaine1

  • 1Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada.

American Journal of Infection Control
|September 4, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This review addresses airborne pathogen transmission, highlighting limited guidance on indoor air decontamination. It explores methods for assessing and reducing airborne microbes to enhance infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Public health
  • Infection control
  • Environmental microbiology

Background:

  • Pathogen transmission via fomites is well-studied, but indoor airborne transmission lacks standardized decontamination protocols.
  • Limited guidance exists for microbial decontamination of indoor air, posing risks for pathogen spread between individuals.
  • Effective infection control necessitates addressing airborne microbial threats.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review airborne transmission of infectious agents and exposure assessment.
  • To discuss in vitro and in vivo assessment of microbicidal agents for air decontamination.
  • To present laboratory and field-scale methodologies for indoor air decontamination.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on airborne pathogen transmission and decontamination.
  • Analysis of in vitro assessment techniques for microbicidal agents.
  • Presentation of laboratory-scale (rotating chambers, wind tunnels) and field-scale testing methodologies.
  • Discussion of bacteriophages as surrogates for airborne virus studies.

Main Results:

  • Standardized protocols for surface decontamination exist, but indoor air decontamination guidance is limited.
  • Various methods for assessing microbicidal efficacy against airborne pathogens are available.
  • Laboratory and field-scale approaches show promise for reducing airborne microbes.
  • Bacteriophages offer a potential surrogate model for studying airborne viruses.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for improved strategies and standardized protocols for indoor air decontamination.
  • Effective air decontamination is crucial for preventing airborne pathogen transmission in public and occupational settings.
  • Further research, including the use of bacteriophage surrogates, can advance the field of airborne infection control.
Keywords:
Airborne transmission of pathogensaerosol aging chamberair decontaminationbacteriophages

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