Effect of Dhupana (medicated fumigation) on the microbial concentration in the indoor air in Kumaragara (pediatric OPD and IPD): an experimental study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Bioaerosols causing infectious diseases are a major concern for the environmental safety in hospital indoors. Chemical fumigation used for controlling infectious bioaerosols leads to several health hazards such as allergic reactions, hyperbilirubinemia, carcinogenicity, and toxicity. Corrosion of metal surfaces, bleaching of fabrics, risk of accidental consumption, high cost, unpleasant odor, flammability, and formation of toxic gases are other concerns. In Ayurveda, Dhupana (medicated fumigation) is advocated for controlling invisible agents capable of disease transmission. It can be a safer alternative to chemical fumigation. However, many ingredients of classical Dhupana preparations are rare or impractical to use; hence, a novel “Shodashanga Dhupa” (16-ingredient fumigation preparation) was formulated using easily accessible ingredients of classical Dhupana formulations. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of Shodashanga Dhupa were ascertained by enumerating colony-forming units (CFUs) in the passive air samples obtained from hospital rooms before and after 1 h of Dhupana. These samples were collected on suitable agar media, and the settle plate method was carried out. Results: There was improvement in the Index of Microbial Air Contamination and a statistically significant reduction in bacterial CFUs in the pediatric outpatient department (P = 0.000218) and in the Panchakarma therapy room (P = 0.000218). There was a statistically significant reduction in fungal CFUs (P = 0.0137) in the pediatric outpatient department and in the Panchakarma therapy room (P = 0.00109) after 1 h of Dhupana. Conclusion: The study suggests that fumigation with common herbs and spices is effective in decreasing bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentration in the indoor air of hospital rooms, and it can be used as an economical, hassle-free, and safe method of disinfection.