Abstract
Cars with air conditioning systems have become the norm, but these systems can be dangerous for human health as a result of the accumulation of different microorganisms, including pathogenic ones, causing severe allergy or inflammation problems. The novel purpose of this study is 2-fold: on the one hand, to test different disinfection agents on a new area, that is, automobile cabins, and on the other, to compare activity in the gas phase of these agents for disinfection of car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. This study shown that tested disinfectant agents dedicated for decontamination medical areas (agent based on peracetic acid and an agent containing didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol with cinnamaldehyde) can be successfully used for disinfection car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. Both disinfectants were examined in comparison to a commercial “ready-to-use” spray from a local supermarket dedicated to car air conditioning disinfection. Our research found that very effective agents in this regard were acid stabilized by hydrogen peroxide applied by fumigator, and a combination of didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol, and cinnamaldehyde applied by atomizer. Tested disinfection procedures of car air conditioning significantly influence the quality of cabin air and surfaces by reducing the amount of microorganisms. The comparison of disinfection properties studied agents in the gas phase reveal statistically significant differences between it effect for disinfection car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. Our research found that very effective agents in this regard were acid stabilized by hydrogen peroxide applied by fumigator, and a combination of didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol, and cinnamaldehyde applied by atomizer. Tested disinfection procedures of car air conditioning significantly influence the quality of cabin air and surfaces by reducing the amount of microorganisms.
Highlights
Air conditioners are equipment used in modifying air temperature inside buildings and vehicles
The aim of this study was to estimate the level of microorganism contamination before and after disinfection of car air conditioning systems and cabin surfaces by three different disinfectant agents
Our study presented evidence that disinfection of car environments is very important for users to prevent the health risks associated with using air conditioning systems
Summary
Air conditioners are equipment used in modifying air temperature inside buildings and vehicles. The present work focuses on car air conditioning systems, because air conditioning in cars has become the norm [1]. Many individuals spend significant percentages of their lives traveling inside vehicles. Vehicles are used for commuting from home to work, traveling, and pleasure and business activities. Air Disinfection-From Medical Areas to Vehicle average person of driving age in the developed world, the automobile has become indispensable to daily life. Professional drivers, including taxi drivers, public transportation drivers, and truckers, spend significantly more time inside motor vehicles compared to other individuals [2]. Current health research in the area of in-vehicle air has intensified, but no standards have been drawn for automobile indoor air so far
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