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Microbial Reduction Efficiencies of Filtration, Electrostatic Polarization, and UV Components of a Germicidal Air Cleaning System
Author(s) -
Cundith C.J.,
Kerth C.R.,
Jones W.R.,
Mccaskey T.A.,
Kuhlers D.L.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2002.tb09540.x
Subject(s) - filtration (mathematics) , ultraviolet , polarization (electrochemistry) , chemistry , air filter , materials science , optoelectronics , statistics , mathematics , engineering , inlet , mechanical engineering
This study determined the effectiveness of components of a germicidal air‐cleaning system involving filtration, electrostatic polarization, and UV light on the reduction of airborne bacteria and molds. The filter alone, filter and electrostatic polarization combined, and the filter, electrostatic polarization, and UV light were found to be effective ( P < 0.05) in reducing a given concentration of M. luteus and S. marcescens by 90 to 92%. The same components were also found to be effective ( P < 0.05) in reducing indigenous airborne bacteria and molds from ambient air in processing plant production conditions by 62 to 77% after only 1 pass through the filtration system. A germicidal air‐filtration system utilizing electrostatic polarization and ultraviolet light can be used to reduce the chance of contaminating surfaces with airborne bacteria and molds.