Evaluation of Efficiency of an Innovative Method for Reducing Microbial Air Contamination in Auditoriums: Part 1

Abstract

Background: Sanitary and hygienic well-being of the air environment of closed premises for various purposes is the most important direction in preventing the spread of infections with an aerosol mechanism of pathogen transmission. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative method of reducing microbial indoor air contamination in auditoriums using a film absorber of original design. Materials and methods: We investigated microbial contamination of indoor air in medical university auditoriums in the cold (January-February 2021) and warm (April 2021) seasons of the year. We also tested the efficiency of air purification using a specially designed film absorber with and without an aqueous solution of lithium chloride added as an active substance. The microbial air contamination was monitored during the academic day under various modes of the device operation. Air sampling and testing were carried out using certified methods. Results: Our findings showed the presence of 2 to 4-component associations of microorganisms in most collected indoor air samples. Higher levels of microbial contamination in auditoriums were observed in the cold season of the year. A decrease in microbial air contamination after classes by 0–38 % was detected following 30 minutes of the absorber operation in the general ventilation mode and by 80–99 % after operating it with the active substance added. Conclusion: Test results demonstrate high efficiency of the method of reducing microbial air contamination in auditoriums using the film absorber of original design.