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Alternative Room Disinfection Modalities – Pros and Cons

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Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections

Abstract

The purpose of this Chapter is to review the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of chemical fumigation and germicidal UVC irradiation use in healthcare and other related environments. The primary objective is to identify when the benefits associated with fumigation or irradiation outweigh the risks of human injury or other adverse effects. It is hypothesized that both fumigation and UV irradiation are capable of killing microorganisms; however, it is uncertain whether the benefits in terms of overall hospital patient infection rates outweigh the risks and costs associated with these methods.

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Abbreviations

CDC:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CRE:

Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae

EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency

HAIs:

Healthcare-associated infections

HPV:

Hydrogen peroxide vapor

MRSA:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areus

OSHA:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PEL:

Permissible exposure limit

RH:

Relative humidity

TLV™:

Threshold Limit Value

UV:

Ultraviolet

UVA:

Ultraviolet A

UVB:

Ultraviolet B

UVC:

Ultraviolet C

VRE:

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

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  1. Environmental Health, Illinois State University, Campus Box 5220, Normal, IL, 61790-5220, USA

    George Byrns MPH, Ph.D., CIH

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  1. George Byrns MPH, Ph.D., CIH
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Correspondence to George Byrns MPH, Ph.D., CIH .

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  1. Cupron Inc., Herzelia, Israel

    Gadi Borkow

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Byrns, G. (2014). Alternative Room Disinfection Modalities – Pros and Cons. In: Borkow, G. (eds) Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08057-4_9

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