scholarly journals The Importance of Atmospheric Microbial Contamination Control in Dental Offices: Raised Awareness Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avram Manea ◽  
Diana Crisan ◽  
Grigore Baciut ◽  
Mihaela Baciut ◽  
Simion Bran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Contamination Control ◽  
Air Contamination ◽  
Ultraviolet C ◽  
Dental Offices ◽  
Air Circulation

Background: In the context of the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic that started in 2020, more attention is being paid to the air quality in medical offices. The medical, economic and social implications of this crisis are unprecedented. Dental offices, particularly, were significantly affected by this pandemic due to the high exposure of dental workers, limited availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and serious financial problems. Methods: Four different procedures were compared regarding their effectiveness in air contamination reduction, both from a biological point of view and from a management point of view: Fogging, Ultraviolet C (UVC) lamps, UVC air circulation units and natural ventilation. A total of 56 Petri dishes were used to evaluate air contamination. Results: All four procedures offered good results but the decontamination time and overall effect varied depending on the chosen method. Fogging was the only method that managed to remove all the identifiable pathogens. Conclusions: Fogging proved to be superior from a medical point of view, while the UVC air circulation unit proved to be more efficient from a management point of view.

RESEARCH: Dry Heat Processing of Single-Use Respirators and Surgical Masks

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 410-416
Author(s):  
Joyce M. Hansen ◽  
Scott Weiss ◽  
Terra A. Kremer ◽  
Myrelis Aguilar ◽  
Gerald McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Airborne Particles ◽  
Heat Processing ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Dry Heat ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Single Use

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has challenged healthcare providers in maintaining the supply of critical personal protective equipment, including single-use respirators and surgical masks. Single-use respirators and surgical masks can reduce risks from the inhalation of airborne particles and microbial contamination. The recent high-volume demand for single-use respirators and surgical masks has resulted in many healthcare facilities considering processing to address critical shortages. The dry heat process of 80°C (176°F) for two hours (120 min) has been confirmed to be an appropriate method for single-use respirator and surgical mask processing.

scholarly journals Ultraviolet-C as a Viable Reprocessing Method for Disposable Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
Talita Nicolau ◽  
Núbio Gomes Filho ◽  
Andrea Zille
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Ultraviolet C ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Uv C ◽  
New Strategies

In normal conditions, discarding single-use personal protective equipment after use is the rule for its users due to the possibility of being infected, particularly for masks and filtering facepiece respirators. When the demand for these protective tools is not satisfied by the companies supplying them, a scenario of shortages occurs, and new strategies must arise. One possible approach regards the disinfection of these pieces of equipment, but there are multiple methods. Analyzing these methods, Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) becomes an exciting option, given its germicidal capability. This paper aims to describe the state-of-the-art for UV-C sterilization in masks and filtering facepiece respirators. To achieve this goal, we adopted a systematic literature review in multiple databases added to a snowball method to make our sample as robust as possible and encompass a more significant number of studies. We found that UV-C’s germicidal capability is just as good as other sterilization methods. Combining this characteristic with other advantages makes UV-C sterilization desirable compared to other methods, despite its possible disadvantages.

scholarly journals Microbiological air analysis of industrial premises and photocatalysis efficiency for its disinfection

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 00126
Author(s):  
V.S. Shkrabak ◽  
E.V. Zhgulev ◽  
E.I. Gavrikova ◽  
R.V. Shkrabak
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Agents ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
Air Analysis ◽  
Photodynamic Treatment ◽  
Basic Difference ◽  
Air Contamination ◽  
Survival Potential

This article analyzes the reasons of temporary disability of laborers in Agro Industrial Complex, dealing with microbial content in industrial premises. Development and implementation of equipment for correction of microbial content level results in reduction of general morbidity rate and duration of temporary disability among laborers in Agro Industrial Complex. It will help to increase labor efficiency and decrease labor intensity of production. Biofilm resistance against antibacterial agents is a vital problem during disinfection treatments. Increase in bacteria survival potential and reduction in sensitivity to the substances eliminating them, results in need for increased dosing of the latter decreased efficiency of sanitation. This is a stimulus to develop alternative antibacterial compositions and methods of disinfection treatment. The basic difference of the suggested photodynamic treatment from the disinfection methods with application of antimicrobial preparations is the lack of resistibility to destabilizing oxidant – singlet oxygen. Before disinfection treatment, we determined total microbial air contamination according to the original method, providing a possibility to use air medium sampling of the total volume of indoor area. Experimental results have shown a decrease in total microbial contamination by a factor of 5.5 on average.

scholarly journals Antibacterial Efficiency of Stainless-Steel Grids Coated with Cu-Ag by Thermionic Vacuum Arc Method

Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 322
Author(s):  
P. Dinca ◽  
B. Butoi ◽  
M. Lungu ◽  
C. Porosnicu ◽  
I. Jepu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Conventional Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Vacuum Arc ◽  
Filtering Efficiency ◽  
Thermionic Vacuum Arc ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Autonomous smart natural ventilation systems (SVS) attached to the glass façade of living quarters and office buildings can help reducing the carbon footprint of city buildings in the future, especially during warm seasons and can represent an alternative to the conventional mechanical ventilation systems. The work performed in this manuscript focuses on the investigation of bacteria trapping and killing efficiency of stainless steel grids coated with a mixed layer of Cu-Ag. These grids are to be employed as decontamination filters for a smart natural ventilation prototype that we are currently building in our laboratory. The tested grids were coated with a mixed Cu-Ag layer using thermionic vacuum arc plasma processing technology. The fixed deposition geometry allowed the variation of Cu and Ag atomic concentration in coated layers as a function of substrate position in relation to plasma sources. The test conducted with air contaminated with a pathogen strain of staphylococcus aureus indicated that the filtering efficiency is influenced by two parameters: the pore size dimension and the coating layer composition. The results show that the highest filtering efficiency of 100% was obtained for fine pore (0.5 × 0.5 mm) grids coated with a mixed metallic layer composed of 65 at% Cu and 35 at% Ag. The second test performed only on reference grids and Cu-Ag (65–35 at%) under working conditions, confirm a similar filtering efficiency for the relevant microbiological markers. This particular sample was investigated from morphological, structural, and compositional point of view. The results show that the layer has a high surface roughness with good wear resistance and adhesion to the substrate. The depth profiles presented a uniform composition of Cu and Ag in the layer with small variations caused by changes in deposition rates during the coating process. Identification of the two metallic phases of the Cu and Ag in the layers evidences their crystalline nature. The calculated grain size of the nanocrystalline was in the range 14–21 nm.

Precautions and Recommendations for Dental Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Téssia Melo ◽  
◽  
Poliana Costa ◽  
Rafaela Medeiros ◽  
Jorge Araújo-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
International Public Health ◽  
Dental Offices ◽  
Need For Information

The COVID-19 disease pandemic, caused by the new Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) that originated in Wuhan, China, is an international public health emergency. This disease represents a major challenge for all health professionals, including dentists and their staff. This moment has significantly changed the attendance and routine of dental offices, so there is a great need for information and the development of protocols for the guidance of professionals. This paper aims to systematize the recommendations for dentists’ clinical practice on biosafety and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), seeking to optimize dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insight into the Prevalence and Distribution of Microbial Contamination To Evaluate Water Management in the Fresh Produce Processing Industry

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEVIN HOLVOET ◽  
LIESBETH JACXSENS ◽  
IMCA SAMPERS ◽  
MIEKE UYTTENDAELE
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Processing Industry ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Cut ◽  
Insight Into

This study provided insight into the degree of microbial contamination in the processing chain of prepacked (bagged) lettuce in two Belgian fresh-cut produce processing companies. The pathogens Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Total psychrotrophic aerobic bacterial counts (TPACs) in water samples, fresh produce, and environmental samples suggested that the TPAC is not a good indicator of overall quality and best manufacturing practices during production and processing. Because of the high TPACs in the harvested lettuce crops, the process water becomes quickly contaminated, and subsequent TPACs do not change much throughout the production process of a batch. The hygiene indicator Escherichia coli was used to assess the water management practices in these two companies in relation to food safety. Practices such as insufficient cleaning and disinfection of washing baths, irregular refilling of the produce wash baths with water of good microbial quality, and the use of high product/water ratios resulted in a rapid increase in E. coli in the processing water, with potential transfer to the end product (fresh-cut lettuce). The washing step in the production of fresh-cut lettuce was identified as a potential pathway for dispersion of microorganisms and introduction of E. coli to the end product via cross-contamination. An intervention step to reduce microbial contamination is needed, particularly when no sanitizers are used as is the case in some European Union countries. Thus, from a food safety point of view proper water management (and its validation) is a critical point in the fresh-cut produce processing industry.

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