Evaluation of an electrostatic particle ionization technology for decreasing airborne pathogens in pigs.
Influenza A virus (IAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) andStaphylococcus aureusare important swine pathogens capable of being transmitted via aerosols. The electrostatic particle ionization system (EPI) consists of a conductive line that emits negative ions that charge particles electrically resulting in the settling of airborne particles onto surfaces and potentially decreasing the risk of pathogen dissemination. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of the EPI system on the quantity and viability of IAV, PRRSV, PEDV andS. aureusin experimentally generated aerosols and in aerosols generated by infected animals. Efficiency at removing airborne particles was evaluated as a function of particle size (ranging from 0.4 to 10 µm), distance from the source of ions (1, 2 and 3 m) and relative air humidity (RH 30 vs. 70 %). Aerosols were sampled with the EPI system "off" and "on." Removal efficiency was significantly greater for all pathogens when the EPI line was the closest to the source of aerosols. There was a greater reduction for larger particles ranging between 3.3 and 9 µm, which varied by pathogen. Overall airborne pathogen reduction ranged between 0.5 and 1.9 logs. Viable pathogens were detected with the EPI system "on," but there was a trend to reducing the quantity of viable PRRSV and IAV. There was not a significant effect on the pathogens removal efficiency based on the RH conditions tested. In summary, distance to the source of ions, type of pathogen and particle size influenced the removal efficiency of the EPI system. The reduction in infectious agents in the air by the EPI technology could potentially decrease the microbial exposure for pigs and people in confinement livestock facilities.
Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 385 ASVM, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108 USA.
Carmen
C
Alonso
Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN USA.
Peter C
PC
Raynor
Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 385 ASVM, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108 USA.
Peter R
PR
Davies
Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 385 ASVM, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108 USA.
Robert B
RB
Morrison
Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 385 ASVM, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108 USA.
Montserrat
M
Torremorell
Aerosols; Electrostatic particle ionization; Influenza virus; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus; Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus; Staphylococcus aureus