Inactivation of airborne SARS-Co-V2 using NTP-UVGI hybrid process

Indoor environments such as healthcare centers are known as one of the key centers in the outbreak of viral infectious diseases. In the present study, the pathogenic agents' treatment system (PATS) was designed by the combination of non-thermal plasma (NTP) with the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) processes. Then, the treatment efficiency of PATS was measured for the SARS-Co-V2. The exhaled air of the confirmed case of COVID-19 was considered as the viral source of SARS-Co-V2 and directed to the upstream of PATS. The treatment process was done by passing directed air through two steps of treatment (NTP and UVGI). The treatment efficiency of PATS was measured by sampling at the sampling points (before and after the treatment process). According to the energy emission pattern (corona discharge, UV rays) in the designed system, during two steps, the high efficiency of treatment for the collected pathogens was achieved. Based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, the CT value was lower than 29 (CTs < 29), and after the treatment using PATS was upper than 40 (CTs > 40) confirming the highest removal efficiency of SARS-Co-V2. Also, the treatment efficiency of each reactor in individual operation was at the optimum level. The findings suggested, the present PATS may eliminate the viral pathogens with hospital sources and also, be applicable in the other intensive care unit (ICU) wards with the same risk thus, significantly reducing the possible exposure risk of healthcare and sick companions, and preventing the outbreak of infectious diseases.

Automated summary

In this study, a pathogenic agents' treatment system (PATS) combining non-thermal plasma and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation was designed and tested for the treatment of SARS-Co-V2. The results showed that PATS was highly efficient in removing the virus. It was suggested that this system could be used in other high-risk wards, such as hospitals, to reduce the risk of infection and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.