Disinfection aerosol, method of use and manufacture
First Claim
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1. A method of disinfection comprising the steps of:
- (i) allowing an aerosol to contact a first concentration of microorganisms for a sufficient time to achieve a reduction in the concentration to a lower level than the first, wherein the aerosol comprises droplets dispersed in a carrier gas, wherein at least some of the droplets contain a peroxide biocide; and
at least some of the droplets in the aerosol contain an antagonist reactive with the peroxide biocide to render it harmless by decomposition of the peroxide biocide, wherein(a) the aerosol comprises suspended droplets of the peroxide biocide and the antagonist, whereby decomposition of the peroxide biocide occurs when droplets of the peroxide contact droplets of the antagonist as a result of collision, coalescence or condensation, or(b) at least some of the droplets contain both the peroxide biocide and the antagonist,whereby the reaction kinetics of the peroxide biocide and the antagonist are controlled so that the biocide is effective to kill microorganisms before the biocide is decomposed by the antagonist; and
(ii) allowing the antagonist to inactivate any remaining peroxide biocide.
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Abstract
Aerosols comprising droplets dispersed in a carrier gas, wherein at least some of the droplets contain an antagonist effective to inactivate a biocide are provided. The droplets may contain the biocide and the antagonist that reacts with the biocide to render it harmless. The biocide is used for disinfection or sterilization, and the nature and concentration of the antagonist is selected, or means are provided, to ensure that the time required for the antagonist to render the biocide ineffective is longer than the time required for the biocide to be effective for a desired level of disinfection or sterilization. Methods of manufacture of aerosols are also provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of disinfection comprising the steps of:
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(i) allowing an aerosol to contact a first concentration of microorganisms for a sufficient time to achieve a reduction in the concentration to a lower level than the first, wherein the aerosol comprises droplets dispersed in a carrier gas, wherein at least some of the droplets contain a peroxide biocide; and
at least some of the droplets in the aerosol contain an antagonist reactive with the peroxide biocide to render it harmless by decomposition of the peroxide biocide, wherein(a) the aerosol comprises suspended droplets of the peroxide biocide and the antagonist, whereby decomposition of the peroxide biocide occurs when droplets of the peroxide contact droplets of the antagonist as a result of collision, coalescence or condensation, or (b) at least some of the droplets contain both the peroxide biocide and the antagonist, whereby the reaction kinetics of the peroxide biocide and the antagonist are controlled so that the biocide is effective to kill microorganisms before the biocide is decomposed by the antagonist; and (ii) allowing the antagonist to inactivate any remaining peroxide biocide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification