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Evaluation of UR-UVGI System for Sterilization Effect on Microorganism Contamination in Negative Pressure Isolation Ward

Author

Listed:
  • Jong-Il Bang

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea)

  • Jeongyeon Park

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea)

  • Anseop Choi

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea)

  • Jae-Weon Jeong

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04736, Korea)

  • Jin Yong Kim

    (Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon Medical Center, Incheon 22532, Korea)

  • Minki Sung

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea)

Abstract

A negative pressure isolation ward prevents the outflow of airborne microorganisms from inside the ward, minimizing the spread of airborne contamination causing respiratory infection. In response to recent outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Korea has increased the number of these facilities. However, airborne contaminants that flow into the ward from adjacent areas may cause secondary harm to patients. In this study, the sterilization effect of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) on microorganisms generated within the negative pressure isolation ward and those flowing inward from adjacent areas was evaluated through field experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, to assess the potential of this approach as a supplementary measure to control such microorganisms. The sterilization effect was found to be not high because of high-level ventilation. CFD analysis under various conditions shows that the sterilization effect for indoor-generated microorganisms varies with the level of UV radiation, the source locations of the indoor-generated microorganisms, air supplies and exhausts, the UVGI system, and the airflow formed under the specified conditions. Our results show that when the UVGI system is installed in the upper part of the ward entrance, contaminated air from adjacent area is strongly sterilized.

Suggested Citation

  • Jong-Il Bang & Jeongyeon Park & Anseop Choi & Jae-Weon Jeong & Jin Yong Kim & Minki Sung, 2018. "Evaluation of UR-UVGI System for Sterilization Effect on Microorganism Contamination in Negative Pressure Isolation Ward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3192-:d:168166
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Cattai & Annunziata D’Orazio & Gianluca Sbardella, 2023. "A Systematic Review on the Application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation to HVAC Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-26, November.
    2. Behrouz Pirouz & Stefania Anna Palermo & Seyed Navid Naghib & Domenico Mazzeo & Michele Turco & Patrizia Piro, 2021. "The Role of HVAC Design and Windows on the Indoor Airflow Pattern and ACH," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-31, July.

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