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Application of an Ultrasonic Nebulizer Closet in the Disinfection of Textiles and Footwear

Author

Listed:
  • Tiago M. Henriques

    (UCCCB—University of Coimbra Bacteria Culture Collection, Department of Life Science, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
    IATV—Instituto do Ambiente Tecnologia e Vida, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Beatriz Rito

    (University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Diogo N. Proença

    (UCCCB—University of Coimbra Bacteria Culture Collection, Department of Life Science, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
    University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Paula V. Morais

    (UCCCB—University of Coimbra Bacteria Culture Collection, Department of Life Science, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
    University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of disinfection processes in health safety. Textiles and footwear have been identified as vectors for spreading infections. Therefore, their disinfection can be crucial to controlling pathogens’ dissemination. The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial disinfectant aerosolized by an ultrasonic nebulizer closet as an effective method for disinfecting textiles and footwear. The disinfection was evaluated in three steps: suspension tests; nebulization in a 0.08 m 3 closet; nebulization in the upscaled 0.58 m 3 closet. The disinfection process of textiles and footwear was followed by the use of bacteriophages, bacterial spores, and bacterial cells. The disinfection in the 0.58 m 3 closet was efficient for textiles (4 log reduction) when bacteriophage Lambda , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis were used. The footwear disinfection was achieved (4 log reduction) in the 0.08 m 3 closet for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Disinfection in an ultrasonic nebulization closet has advantages such as being quick, not wetting, being efficient on porous surfaces, and is performed at room temperature. Ultrasonic nebulization disinfection in a closet proves to be useful in clothing and footwear stores to prevent pathogen transmission by the items’ widespread handling.

Suggested Citation

  • Tiago M. Henriques & Beatriz Rito & Diogo N. Proença & Paula V. Morais, 2022. "Application of an Ultrasonic Nebulizer Closet in the Disinfection of Textiles and Footwear," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10472-:d:895144
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sabina Fijan & Sonja Šostar Turk, 2012. "Hospital Textiles, Are They a Possible Vehicle for Healthcare-Associated Infections?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Alexandre Chabrelie & Jade Mitchell & Joan Rose & Duane Charbonneau & Yoshiki Ishida, 2018. "Evaluation of the Influenza Risk Reduction from Antimicrobial Spray Application on Porous Surfaces," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(7), pages 1502-1517, July.
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