Comparative analysis of air disinfection methods for prevention of bacterial and viral infections

Abstract

Aim. To compare the effectiveness of two methods for indoor air disinfection, i.e., those based on ultraviolet (UV) irradiation sources of open and closed types.Material and methods. Two main indoor air disinfection methods were compared – an open-type UV irradiator and a closed-type recirculating irradiator– based on the parameters of total bacterial contamination and the content of staphylococci and mold spores in the air (n = 30).Results. UV disinfection using an open-type bactericidal lamp, both for 15 and 30 min, is significantly more effective than disinfection using a recirculating irradiator in terms of reducing the total bacterial contamination (p < 0.001), the content of viable staphylococci (p < 0.001 – p = 0.026), and mold spores (p < 0.001) in the air.Conclusion. The use of bactericidal lamps of open type is a more effective tool for indoor air disinfection compared to the use of closed-type recirculating irradiators. It is advisable to use UV disinfection with open type sources in the absence of people followed by ventilation and subsequent use of recirculating irradiators in the presence of people.