Efficient trapping and destruction of SARS-CoV-2 using PECO-assisted Molekule air purifiers in the laboratory and real-world settings

Arpan Acharya; Kerri Surbaugh; Michellie Thurman; Chatura Wickramaratne; Philip Myers; Rajat Mittal; Kabita Pandey; Elizabeth Klug; Sarah J. Stein; Ashley R. Ravnholdt; Vicki L. Herrera; Danielle N. Rivera; Paul Williams; Joshua L. Santarpia; Ajeet Kaushik; Jaspreet S. Dhau; Siddappa N. Byrareddy

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Oct 2023)

Efficient trapping and destruction of SARS-CoV-2 using PECO-assisted Molekule air purifiers in the laboratory and real-world settings

Arpan Acharya,
Kerri Surbaugh,
Michellie Thurman,
Chatura Wickramaratne,
Philip Myers,
Rajat Mittal,
Kabita Pandey,
Elizabeth Klug,
Sarah J. Stein,
Ashley R. Ravnholdt,
Vicki L. Herrera,
Danielle N. Rivera,
Paul Williams,
Joshua L. Santarpia,
Ajeet Kaushik,
Jaspreet S. Dhau,
Siddappa N. Byrareddy

Affiliations

Arpan Acharya: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Kerri Surbaugh: Research and Development, Molekule, Inc., 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Michellie Thurman: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Chatura Wickramaratne: Research and Development, Molekule, Inc., 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Philip Myers: Research and Development, Molekule, Inc., 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Rajat Mittal: Clean Energy Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Kabita Pandey: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Elizabeth Klug: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Sarah J. Stein: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Ashley R. Ravnholdt: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Vicki L. Herrera: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Danielle N. Rivera: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Paul Williams: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Joshua L. Santarpia: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Ajeet Kaushik: Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland, FL 33805, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Jaspreet S. Dhau: Research and Development, Molekule, Inc., 3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Corresponding author.
Siddappa N. Byrareddy: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA; Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland, FL 33805, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 264
p. 115487

Abstract

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted human-to-human via aerosols and air-borne droplets. Therefore, capturing and destroying viruses from indoor premises are essential to reduce the probability of human exposure and virus transmission. While the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems help in reducing the indoor viral load, a targeted approach is required to effectively remove SARS-CoV-2 from indoor air to address human exposure concerns. The present study demonstrates efficient trapping and destruction of SARS-CoV-2 via nano-enabled filter technology using the UV-A-stimulated photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO) process. Aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 were generated by nebulization inside an air-controlled test chamber where an air purifier (Air Mini+) was placed. The study demonstrated the efficient removal of SARS-CoV-2 (99.98 %) from the test chamber in less than two minutes and PECO-assisted destruction (over 99%) on the filtration media in 1 h. Furthermore, in a real-world scenario, the Molekule Air-Pro air purifier removed SARS-CoV-2 (a negative RT-qPCR result post-running the filter device) from the circulating air in a COVID-19 testing facility. Overall, the ability of two FDA-approved class II medical devices, Molekule Air-Mini+ and Air-Pro air purifiers, to remove and destroy SARS-CoV-2 in indoor settings was successfully demonstrated. The study indicates that as the ''tripledemic'' of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) overwhelm the healthcare facilities in the USA, the use of a portable air filtration device will help contain the spread of the viruses in close door facilities, such as in schools and daycare facilities.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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