UltraViolet SANitizing System for Sterilization of Ambulances Fleets and for Real-Time Monitoring of Their Sterilization Level

Zuleika Michelini, Chiara Mazzei, Fabio Magurano, Melissa Baggieri, Antonella Marchi, Mauro Andreotti, Andrea Cara, Alessandro Gaudino, Marco Mazzalupi, Francesca Antonelli, Lorenzo Sommella, Silvia Angeletti, Elena Razzano, Arnaud Runge and Paolo Petrinca
Additional contact information
Zuleika Michelini: National Center Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Chiara Mazzei: National Center Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Fabio Magurano: Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Melissa Baggieri: Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Antonella Marchi: Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Mauro Andreotti: National Center Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Andrea Cara: National Center Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alessandro Gaudino: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Marco Mazzalupi: OMICA, 00143 Rome, Italy
Francesca Antonelli: OMICA, 00143 Rome, Italy
Lorenzo Sommella: Department of Clinical Pathology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
Silvia Angeletti: Department of Clinical Pathology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
Elena Razzano: European Space Agency—ECSAT, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FD, UK
Arnaud Runge: European Space Agency—ESTEC, 2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Paolo Petrinca: OMICA, 00143 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Background: The contamination of ambulances with pathogenic agents represents a potential threat for the public health, not only for common pathogens but also for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this project was to exploits the germicidal effect of the UVC radiation at 254 nm to sanitize the patient’s compartment of ambulances with an advanced UltraViolet SANitizing System (UV-SAN) and assess its relevance for avoiding the spread of COVID-19 and other drug resistant pathogens. Methods: The system is equipped with UVC lamps that are activated when the ambulance compartment is empty and sanitize the environment in less than 15 min. An Ozone sensor continuously monitors the gas concentration, ensuring it does not exceed threshold value harmful for patients and operators’ health. The system is relying on GNSS data and a satellite communication link, which allow to monitor and record traceability (when, where and what) of all the sanitation operations performed. This information is real-time monitored from a dedicated web-application. Results: UVC irradiation efficiently reduced SARS-CoV-2 virus titer (>99.99%), on inanimate surfaces such as plastic, stainless steel or rubber, with doses ranging from 5.5 to 24.8 mJ/cm 2 and the UV-SAN system is effective against multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria up to >99.99%, after 10 to 30 min of irradiation. Conclusions: UV-SAN can provide rapid, efficient and sustainable sanitization procedures of ambulances.

Keywords: UVC; SARS-CoV-2; MDR bacteria; Sanitizing System; ozone; Satellite System (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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