Bacterial decontamination using ambient pressure nonthermal discharges

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science 2000-02, Vol.28 (1), p.51-55
• Main Authors: Birmingham, J.G., Hammerstrom, D.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric pressure; Atmospheric-pressure plasmas; BACTERIA; Biological materials; BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS; Catalysis; Chemical hazards; CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS; DECOMPOSITION; Decontamination; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Fungi; HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; INDOOR AIR POLLUTION; Instruments; Microorganisms; MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; Nucleic acids; PLASMA; Plasma chemistry; Plasma devices; Plasma materials processing; Plasmas; STERILIZATION; Sterilization (cleaning); TOXIC MATERIALS
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/27.842862

Atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasmas can efficiently deactivate bacteria in gases, liquids, and on surfaces, as well as can decompose hazardous chemicals. This paper focuses on the changes to bacterial spores and toxic biochemical compounds, such as mycotoxins, after their treatment in ambient pressure discharges. The ability of nonthermal plasmas to decompose toxic chemicals and deactivate hazardous biological materials has been applied to sterilizing medical instruments, ozonating water, and purifying air. In addition, the fast lysis of bacterial spores and other cells has led us to include plasma devices within pathogen detection instruments, where nucleic acids must be accessed. Decontaminating chemical and biological warfare materials from large, high value targets such as building surfaces, after a terrorist attack, are especially challenging. A large area plasma decontamination technology is described.