DENTISTRY

Photocatalytic Oxidizers as a Novel Device for Bacterial Reduction in Dental Surgical Bays

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to reduce air and surface pathogens in publicly occupied indoor spaces. This study evaluates the effects of an advanced photocatalytic (APC) air purification system on both the air and surface microbial burden in a dental school oral surgery department.

Methods
Samples were collected from two operatories, where aerosol generating procedures were regularly performed, for three consecutive days prior to use of APC units, and for three consecutive days two weeks after a CASPR Compact APC unit was installed and running continuously in each room. Total aerobic bacterial counts were measured in the air and on surfaces using agar settling plates (n = 36) and cellulose environmental testing sponges (n = 60).

Results
The APC units yielded a 76% reduction (p = 0.0015; 95% confidence interval, 17 to 529 CFUs) in the aerobic bacterial count measured on surfaces, and a 58% reduction (p = 0.0012; 95% confidence interval, 35 to 95 CFUs) in the aerobic bacterial count measured in the air.

Conclusions
The APC air purification system provides a promising solution to reduce air and surface microbial burden in dental environments, where aerosol generating procedures are regularly performed.

Practical Implications
Dental clinics produce high amounts of bioaerosols and likely present higher risks for disease transmission. Implementing APC air purification technology may help to mitigate risk.

Key Words
Photocatalytic Oxidizers, PCO, CASPR, Aerosols, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Dental Clinic, Oral Surgery

OTHER CASE STUDIES BY FACILITY TYPE:

HOSPITALS

Altus Baytown Hospital

Hospital Testing Report: Sustained reduction of Microbial Burden on High Touch Surfaces through the Introduction of Photocatalytic Conversion technology

Integris Southwest Medical Center

Development of continuous disinfection to address the persistent contamination and recontamination occurring in patient rooms despite routine episodic cleaning and disinfection.

St Luke Study

Levels of both bacterial and fungal MB on surfaces were found to be significantly lower as was the incidence of MRSA and VRE.

Reported a significant decline in absenteeism with a reduction of 550 hours (1313 vs 752) during the four-month trial vs the same four month period the previous year.

Texas Health Resources Arlington Memorial Presentation

51 unit locations with 4 data points each swab: Aerobic, Mold, MRSA & VRE

SCHOOLS & BUSSES

CASPR Tech Removes Pathogens on Common School Surfaces

CASPR Tech Removes Pathogens on Common School Surfaces CASPR’s mobile and in-duct disinfection technology uses a proprietary Natural Catalytic Converter (NCC) process that extracts oxygen and moisture from ambient air and then produces and continuously delivers a low concentration (less than 0.1 ppm) of gaseous hydrogen peroxide to clean a target area.

With so much attention on finding the safest and most effective ways to
protect kids and teachers during school, Sterasure, a Canadian biotechnology distributor, worked with Sporometrics, an accredited laboratory, to test and demonstrate the real-world effectiveness of CASPR’s technology in a school setting. The test was arranged through a Toronto preschool and kindergarten school in October 2020.

During the test, the school’s air was analyzed along with multiple surfaces for bacterial load. The CASPR 5000 In-Duct units were then installed, and the environment was tested again two weeks later. The surfaces tested included various high-touch surfaces, including keyboards, bathroom surfaces, desks, furniture and tech equipment.

School Bus Fleet Testing

Schools are high-risk environments when it comes to pathogen propagation. This risk extends past its boundaries to the transportation of students to and from school (School Buses). This study evaluates the efficacy of CASPR’s Natural Catalytic Conversion (NCC) technology in a school bus and its’ ability, on top of other routine cleaning and policy protocols, to mitigate pathogen reduction. Surface swabs for bacteria were taken before and during the operation of the CASPR system showing an average reduction of 94% (p = 3.014e-11). Results from this study suggest that CASPR’s NCC technology can effectively reduce pathogens in a school bus.

Results from this study demonstrate the ability of the CASPR system to reduce pathogens on a school bus undergoing normal prescribed use and cleaning. High reduction (94%) with strong statistical significance (p = 3.014e-11) demonstrates the potential this technology has to keep
students safe during transit. Aerobic bacteria were chosen as a surrogate to general pathogen presence but are not limiting. NCC technology has been proven effective against most other prevalent viruses, fungi and bacteria. Implementation of this system will result in a reduced bio burden on the buses and therefore should minimize the risk of pathogen transmission.

RESTAURANTS

CASPR Technology Evaluation in a Restaurant Environment

Restaurants are publicly available spaces which are particularly prone to SARS-CoV-2 exposure due to their small size and nature. Risk of foodborne illness and stringent sanitation requirements adds urgency to the need for improved air-pathogen treatment. This study evaluates the ability of the CASPR system to decrease air pathogen levels in a restaurant environment. Active air sampling for fungi was performed before and after the operation of the CASPR system for a 1-week period. An 83% reduction in total average CFU fungal levels was observed after operating the CASPR system (p=0.05). Results from this study suggest that CASPR’s Natural Catalytic Conversion (NCC) technology can effectively reduce pathogens in a restaurant environment.

Efficacy Testing of 3 Air and Surface Disinfecting Technologies

An independent laboratory conducted testing on HVAC air and surface disinfection systems to evaluate their ability to reduce pathogens. The FDA-compliant lab compared products from three different companies using three different technology strategies

COVID19

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Laboratory Testing Report: Efﬁcacy of CASPR units with NCC technology at continuously inactivating SARS nCoV2 on surfaces in a controlled laboratory environment