Device-Generating Hydroxyl Radicals Kills Superbugs in Hospitals

Air disinfection by hydroxyl radicals is being used to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, Novovirus, and Escherichia Coli in hospitals.

It has long been known that these superbugs cannot survive outdoors because they are destroyed by the germ-killing properties of fresh-air. However, in enclosed spaces such as hospital wards, surgeries, and offices, these microorganisms persist and, until now, there has been no safe or easy way to kill them.

Scientists proved that the naturally occurring element in fresh-air was also a key part of the human immune system. They identified the "Open Air Factor” as the hydroxyl radical (OH). Hydroxyl radicals are generated in a number of reactions essential to life. In the body, hydroxyl radicals are produced by cells to kill invading pathogens as an essential part of the body's natural defense systems. In the fresh air, hydroxyl radials are produced by the reaction of ozone and olefins, the natural scents of flowers and plants.

British scientists and engineers created a new device, the AD, which can generate hydroxyl radicals in enclosed places, in a way that is entirely safe to humans but which kills air-borne bacteria and viruses. AD is made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloys and exceeds all necessary safety requirements. Sunderland Royal (Sunderland, UK) is one of a number of National Health Service (NHS; UK) hospitals beginning to use AD as a central element in their fight against air-borne super bugs.

Tests conducted by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and other independent experts prove that a heavily contaminated room is cleaned to below detectable levels of pathogens within a matter of minutes, and unlike standard cleaning of surfaces, the hydroxyl radicals continue to be just as effective in destroying superbugs when an infected person or material subsequently enters the room.

AD is a product of Inov8 Science (Buckingham, UK), a wholly-owed subsidiary of Mid-States Plc (Buckingham, UK), Mike Heath managing, director of Mid-States said, "We know that superbugs cannot survive in fresh-air, but clearly it is not practical to have the windows open all the time. The AD allows us to bring the outdoors indoors. We have developed a device that is economic, easy to use, and can operate continuously in rooms full of people. The AD is the product of over 40 years of British research and we believe it can be instrumental in the battle to beat hospital acquired infection.”

Initially, AD will be exclusively available to the UK healthcare industry.


Related Links:
Health Protection Agency
National Health Service
Inov8 Science Ltd