Aerosol-phase activity of iodine captured from a triiodide resin filter on fine particles containing an infectious virus.
OBJECTIVE
To avoid interference by water-iodine disinfection chemistry and measure directly the effect of iodine, captured from a triiodide complex bound to a filter medium, on viability of penetrating viral particles.


RESULTS
Aerosols of MS2 coli phage were passed through control P100 or iodinated High-Efficiency Particulate Air media, collected in plastic bags, incubated for 0-10 min, collected in an impinger containing thiosulphate to consume all unreacted iodine, plated and enumerated. Comparison of viable counts demonstrated antimicrobial activity with an apparent half-life for devitalization in tens of seconds; rate of kill decreased at low humidity and free iodine was captured by the bags.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the mechanism of near-contact capture earlier proposed; however, the disinfection chemistry in the aerosol phase is very slow on the time scale of inhalation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that disinfection by filter-bound iodine in the aerosol phase is too slow to be clinically significant in individual respiratory protection, but that it might be of benefit to limit airborne transmission of infections in enclosed areas.
Applied Research Associates, Panama City, FL, USA.
B K
BK
Heimbuch
Applied Research Associates, Panama City, FL, USA.
D A
DA
Harnish
Materials and Manufacturing Division, Universal Technology Corporation, Dayton, OH, USA.
C
C
Balzli
Applied Research Associates, Panama City, FL, USA.
A
A
Lumley
Applied Research Associates, Panama City, FL, USA.
K
K
Kinney
Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall AFB, FL, USA.
J D
JD
Wander
D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000391:Air Microbiology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006207:Half-Life; D006813:Humidity; D007454:Iodides / Q000737:chemistry; D007455:Iodine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017909:Levivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
D000336:Aerosols; D007454:Iodides; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C036561:resin-triiodide; D007455:Iodine
MS2 coli phage; antimicrobials; contact-release mechanism; iodine; respiratory protection; viruses