EC Microbiology

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria and viruses pose an ongoing and increasing health challenge to hotels and hospitality facilities given the large number of interactions between and among guests, staff and vendors in common areas during hotel stays. In addition, these bacteria and viruses pose a difficult challenge in the prevention of cross-transmission and contamination in guest rooms. The White House hosted a virtual event titled “Let’s Clear the Air on COVID” on March 29, 2022, at which The White House emphasized that indoor air poses the biggest risk for coronavirus infections and future pandemic challenges. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of AIRPHX non-thermal plasma technology for reducing air and surface populations of microorganisms in a full-service hotel, including common areas and guest rooms. AIRPHX uses a cost effective, proprietary non-thermal plasma technology to create a number of oxidizing molecules that are highly effective disinfecting agents. The long-term tests were conducted in a full-service hotel managed by one of the largest global hospitality companies (The “Test Property”). The Test Property has over 450 rooms with an eight-story atrium and attached conference facilities including a configurable ballroom and several smaller conference rooms. After the initial in-treatment testing on July 17, 2020, the Test Property was being treated with three AIRPHX PA2400 units, two in the lobby and one in the conference center. The results are consistent in the lobby, conference center and guest rooms -- significant reductions in airborne and surface organisms. This conclusion is based on real world testing and pathogen reduction levels supported by independent lab results (and not simply results based on a controlled lab setting). The scalable and easily deployed nature of the AIRPHX technology appears to offer a proactive and cost-effective solution to sanitizing large and heavily trafficked facilities utilized in the hotel and hospitality industries.

Keywords: Non-Thermal Plasma Technology; AIRPHX; Air Quality; Active Hotel Environment

1. https://www.epa.gov/air-trends/ozone-trends
2. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-health#:~:text=Molds%20can%20also%20cause%20asthma,a%20result%20of%20inhaling%20mold
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458822/
4. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution-and-your-patients-health/health-effects-ozone-general-population#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20these%20effects,and%20other%20markers%20of%20morbidity
5. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220117/Transmission-of-Omicron-in-a-quarantine-hotel-between-two-vaccinated-individuals-across-a-corridor.aspx
6. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(21)00269-8/fulltext