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Studies on the effects of ionization on bacterial aerosols in a burns and plastic surgery unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Paavo Mäkelä ,
Juhani Ojajärvi ,
Gunnar Graeffe  and
Matti Lehtimäki
Paavo Mäkelä
Affiliation:
Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki
Juhani Ojajärvi
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki
Gunnar Graeffe
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere
Matti Lehtimäki
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere
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Summary

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The effect of the ionization of the air on the decay of bacterial aerosols was studied in a Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit. Ions were generated by free corona needles. The air content of bacteria measured by settle plates was found to be smaller during the ionization period than during the controls period. The number of individual phage typed Staph. aureus strains was especially found to be lower during ionization. The opposite potential increased the disappearance of bacteria from the air. The size of skin particles carrying bacteria is not optimum, but the results obtained show that the ionization may have applications in controlling airborne infection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 83 , Issue 2 , October 1979 , pp. 199 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

References

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