Effect of negative air ions on the potential for bacterial contamination of plastic medical equipment

BMC Infectious Diseases

Table 2 Mean air ion counts and air conditions recorded during the various experiments

Experiment	Negative ion count (ions/cm³)	Negative ion count (ions/cm³)	Negative ion count (ions/cm³)	Average air condition
	Ionizer off (<600 s)	Ionizer on (600 - 2800 s)	Ionizer off (>2800 s)
Ventilator tubing *	770	28800	510	26.6°C & 33.4% RH
Ventilator tubing **	510	77200	480	25.1°C & 40.2% RH
Mask*	460	37100	300	22.3°C & 41.6% RH
Mask **	1650	85600	430	23.3°C & 40.2% RH
Nebulizer tubing *	1230	84600	360	23.3°C & 41.7% RH
Nebulizer tubing **	480	52200	340	23.5°C & 41.3% RH
Unometer™ (measuring chamber) *	450	65500	240	23.9°C & 39.8% RH
Unometer™ (measuring chamber) **	520	74300	240	24.4°C & 38.4% RH
Unometer™ (tubing) *	800	58600	360	23.7°C & 42.8% RH
Unometer™ (tubing) **	390	56800	320	24.2°C & 40.3% RH
Disposable apron *	820	54300	670	24.3°C & 37.8% RH
Disposable apron **	640	47800	420	24.3°C & 37.3% RH

ISSN: 1471-2334