Pork Checkoff 2014 Research Highlights:
13-025
Evaluation of the electrostatic particle ionization technology to decrease the risk of zoonotic infections
Principal Investigator: Montserrat Torremorell
University of Minnesota
Objectives:
The overall goal of this project was to evaluate a commercially available air sanitation technology, the EPI system, as a novel tool to decrease the risk of two important airborne zoonotic agents, IAV and S. aureus.
The specific objectives were:
1.    To determine, under controlled conditions, the effect of the EPI system on the quantity and viability of influenza virus in experimentally generated aerosols.
2.    To determine the effect of the EPI system on the quantity and viability of aureus in experimentally generated aerosols.
Results:
1.    Our results indicate the EPI system was effective at reducing the levels of IAV and aureus generated experimentally in the air. Reduction levels between the system “off” and “on” ranged, between 0.56 and 2.58 logs per m3 of air for IAV, and 0.62 and 1.35 logs CFUs/m3 of air for S. aureus.
2.    Under the conditions of this study, relative humidity did not affect the efficiency of the EPI system and reduction levels were greater for both pathogens when the EPI line was installed at 3 m from the ground which also corresponded to the closest distance to the aerosol source.
3.    In summary, the EPI system has potential to reduce exposure to zoonotic agents to producers and swine workers and improve the overall health and well-being of pigs and people.