A chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne bacterial inactivation using engineered water nanostructures

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bordini A ; Brain J ; Deloid G ; Demokritou P ; Diaz E ; Fix N ; Leonard, Stephanie ; McDevitt J ; Mizuyama Y ; Molina R ; Pyrgiotakis G ; Watson C ; Yamauchi T
• Description:
  Airborne pathogens are associated with the spread of infectious diseases and increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we present an emerging chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne pathogen inactivation. This technique is based on transforming atmospheric water vapor into Engineered Water Nano-Structures (EWNS) via electrospray. The generated EWNS possess a unique set of physical, chemical, morphological and biological properties. Their average size is 25 nm and they contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, EWNS are highly electrically charged (10 electrons per particle on average). A link between their electric charge and the reduction of their evaporation rate was illustrated resulting in an extended lifetime (over an hour) at room conditions. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that the EWNS have the ability to interact with and inactivate airborne bacteria. Finally, inhaled EWNS were found to have minimal toxicological effects, as illustrated in an acute in-vivo inhalation study using a mouse model. In conclusion, this novel, chemical free, nanotechnology-based method has the potential to be used in the battle against airborne infectious diseases. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Communicable Disease Control Communicable Diseases Free Radicals Inhalation Exposure Laboratories Occupational Health Particulate Matter Respiratory System Safety Solvents

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• Keywords:
  Airborne-particles Analytical-methods Bacteria Disease-control Electrical-charge Free-radicals Hydroxyl-groups In-vivo-study Infection-control Infectious-diseases Inhalants Inhalation-studies Laboratory-techniques Nanotechnology Oxidative-processes Oxides Pathogens Reaction-rates Vapors

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• ISSN:
  2051-8161
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  15-26
• Volume:
  1
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20043724
• Citation:
  Environ Sci Nano 2014 Feb; 1(1):15-26
• Contact Point Address:
  Philip Demokritou, Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
• Email:
  pdemokri@hsph.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Environmental Science: Nano
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:91ba2b5adaac0206319b41344809bcda241c1481b14581b759a37712eb67c7578edc53915d137ee4178fc765f667666d6d194dc0a22cc72f3ea85d3ad12ab983
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/195547/cdc_195547_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 7.04 MB ]