ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATION VS. HEPA FILTRATION IN REDUCTION OF AIRBORNE MICROORGANISMS IN DENTAL OPERATING ROOMS
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure the ability of electrostatic precipitation (ESP) to reduce the number of airborne microorganisms in two DOR's of 1,800 and 850 cu ft size, and to compare the results with those obtained with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter module. The effect of air cleaning by either one or two ESP units (AIR FLOW RATE OF 175 CFM EACH) or a floor model HEPA module (800 cfm) was studied. The effectiveness of the units was tested using a Reyniers slit sampler to measure the reduction of microbial air concentrations. The reduction in number of microorganisms in the air of empty DOR's was found to be influence by the ratio of room size to unit capacity. At a ratio of 2:1 the air cleaning effectiveness of the ESP and HEPA filter units was the same. A mean concentration of 5.0 VP/cu ft was significantly reduced to 1.0 to 2.0 VP/cu ft by either the ESP or the HEPA filter units. Peak microbial air concentrations in DOR's where dental procedures were being performed were reduced by air cleaners at a higher rate than that found with no cleaners.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0710372
Entities
People
- G. B. Pelleu Jr.
- L. W. Wachtel