Sensitivity of XXXX to negative air ion streams.

@entity5132 @entity26 @entity1787
Negative air ions (NAIs) are known to kill @entity5132 ; however, their precise mechanism of action is uncertain. Elucidation of this has been hampered by a lack of reproducibility between results obtained by different investigators. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of variation in experimental parameters on the sensitivity of @entity5132 to negative air ions and the role of @entity1787 in this process. Ten strains of @entity5132 were exposed to NAIs generated at different emitter distances, exposure times, relative humidities and under aerobic and @entity26 -free conditions. In further experiments, @entity1787 levels were measured under the same conditions. The effect of NAIs on @entity5132 growth was assessed by measuring the area of the zone of inhibition generated around the electrode of the ionizer. There was a significant reduction in area of zone of inhibition with increasing emitter distance (P < 0.05), relative humidity (P < 0.05) or under @entity26 -free conditions (P < 0.05). Increases in exposure time resulted in a significant increase in growth inhibition (P < 0.05). @entity1787 levels increased with increasing exposure times (P < 0.01) but were significantly reduced as emitter distance increased (P < 0.01). When utilized in a nonventilated room, levels of @entity1787 produced did not exceed recognized safety limits. These results (a) demonstrate the importance of careful control of experimental parameters if reproducibility of studies involving NAIs is to be achieved, and (b) highlight the possible role of @entity1787 in the microbicidal effects of NAIs.
