BIO-TERRORISM COUNTERACTION USING OZONE AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

• US 20120315188A1
• Filed: 09/08/2010
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DD Sterozone LLC
• Original Assignee: Medizone International Inc.
• Inventors: Shannon, Michael Edward, Zoutman, Dick Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,636,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/211 Use of hydrogen peroxide, liquid and vaporous
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/212 Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge

Abstract

A process and a system using a disinfecting atmosphere for deactivating Bacillus bacteria and its spores, such as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and C Botulinum and its spores, commonly proposed as bioterrorism threats, are described. Said disinfecting atmosphere includes ozone at a concentration of 2-350 ppm by weight and hydrogen peroxide at an amount of 0.2-10 weight percent at a relative humidity of at least 60%.

Claims

1. A process of combating anthrax and C. botulinum bacterium and spores thereof in an enclosed space, which comprises:

exposing the bacterium and its spores in the enclosed space to a disinfecting atmosphere which includes ozone at an amount of 2-350 ppm by weight and hydrogen peroxide at an amount of 0.5-10 wt. %, at a relative humidity of at least 60%, and for a period of at least 30 minutes sufficient for an effective kill of the bacterium and spores; and

subsequently removing ozone from the atmosphere, down to 0.04 ppm or less.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the ozone amount in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 20-200 ppm by weight.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the ozone concentration in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 35-100 ppm by weight.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen peroxide amount in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 1-5 wt. %.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the period of exposure is from about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the period of exposure is from about 60 minutes to about 105 minutes.

8. The process of claim 1 including the additional step of subjecting porous and fibrous surfaces within the room to physical agitation while exposed to the disinfecting atmosphere.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the physical agitation is conducted with application of bristles.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the physical agitation is conducted with application of air pressure jets.

11. The process of claim 8 wherein the physical agitation is conducted with application of ultrasonic energy, radio frequency energy or electromagnetic waves, capable of causing physical disruption.

12. The process of claim 1 wherein biofilm carrying surfaces are exposed to a localized stream of the disinfecting atmosphere.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein the pressure of the localized stream is from 14.7 to 100 psi.

14. The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterium is a Bacillus bacterium.

4. (canceled)

15. A portable system for destroying Bacillus and Claustridium bacteria and spores thereof, including Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis and Claustridium botulinum, in rooms and on surfaces and equipment therein, comprising:

an ozone generator for discharging into the room a gaseous mixture including ozone;

an ozone controller adapted to control an amount of discharged ozone;

a source of hydrogen peroxide for discharging controlled amounts of hydrogen peroxide into the room;

means for discharging the hydrogen peroxide and ozone into the room;

humidity adjusting means adapted to increase or decrease a relative humidity of the room during treatment; and

an ozone remover adapted to destroy ozone, down to a safe level in the room atmosphere for subsequent human utilization.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the means for discharging the hydrogen peroxide and ozone into the room includes a discharge wand having an outlet end.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the outlet end includes physical agitation means.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the physical agitation means is bristles for scrubbing purposes.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the means for discharging hydrogen peroxide and ozone is an outlet pressure jet for effecting physical agitation of fibrous surfaces to which it is applied.