Bio-terrorism counteraction using ozone and hydrogen peroxide

• US 8,636,951 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2010
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Sean E
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPAMER, DONALD R
• Application Number:
  US13/522,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20120315188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 422/4, 422/28, 422/30
• US Class Current: 422/28
• 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, consisting of:

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%, wherein said amount of hydrogen peroxide is derived from a supply solution of 0.2%-10% hydrogen peroxide, 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.

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

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

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

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

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the pressure of the localized stream is from 14.7 to 100 psi.

9. A process of combating anthrax and C. botulinum bacterium and spores thereof in an enclosed space, consisting of:

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%, wherein said amount of hydrogen peroxide is derived from a supply solution of 0.2%-10% hydrogen peroxide, and for a period of at least 30 minutes sufficient for an effective kill of the bacterium and spores;

subjecting porous and fibrous surfaces within the room to physical agitation while exposed to the disinfecting atmosphere; and

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

10. The process of claim 9 wherein the ozone amount in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 20-200 ppm by weight.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the ozone concentration in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 35-100 ppm by weight.

12. The process of claim 9 wherein the hydrogen peroxide amount in the disinfecting atmosphere is from 1-5 wt. %.

13. The process of claim 9 wherein the period of exposure is from about 30 minutes to about 120 minutes.

14. The process of claim 9 wherein the period of exposure is from about 60 minutes to about 105 minutes.

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

16. The process of claim 9 wherein the physical agitation is conducted with application of air pressure jets.

17. The process of claim 9 wherein the physical agitation is conducted with application of ultrasonic energy, radio frequency energy, or electromagnetic waves, capable of causing physical disruption.

18. The process of claim 9 wherein the biofilm carrying surfaces are exposed to a localized stream of the disinfecting atmosphere.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the pressure of the localized stream is from 14.7 to 100 psi.