Glycol Vapors

Assesses the real-world efficacy of glycol vapor as an adjunctive air and surface disinfection approach in healthcare and residential care settings. Using a commercially available TEG-based product, the research examines whether glycol vapors can reduce airborne and surface contamination in patient rooms across hospitals, nursing homes, and residential living facilities with varying ventilation rates, targeting healthcare-associated pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The study also seeks to understand the use of glycol vapors during respiratory virus preparedness training, measuring reductions in air, surface, and personnel contamination using a viral surrogate, as well as in medical procedure rooms to evaluate reductions in bacterial contamination under clinical conditions.

Examines the human safety of exposure to air disinfection-relevant concentrations of triethylene glycol vapor, with a specific focus on individuals with asthma. The research builds on existing animal inhalation data to undertake an acute human exposure study using triethylene glycol. Metrics to assess reactions to glycol vapors will include changes in lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, oxidative stress, patient-reported outcomes, and other clinical metrics.

Evaluates how exposure to three glycol vapors (propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and triethylene glycol), in combination with ASHRAE test dust or polydisperse polystyrene latex (PSL) aerosols, affects six types of air filter media under varying relative humidity conditions, glycol vapor saturation concentrations, and exposure durations. Outcomes include assessing changes in filtration performance, electrostatic charge, airflow resistance, and alterations in fiber morphology to inform filter performance, replacement, and service life following exposure to glycol vapors.

Evaluates optimal delivery method of three glycol vapors (propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and triethylene glycol) using commercially available, cost-effective emergency deployment technologies. The project investigates the potential of glycol vapors to facilitate the formation of unwanted secondary products or particulate matter that degrade air quality within a test office environment and assesses inactivation efficacy against three bacterial and viral cultures (Mycobacterium parafortuitum, Bordetella pertussis, and a vaccine strain of influenza) aerosolized in artificial saliva under controlled laboratory conditions.

Assesses the efficacy of three glycol vapors (propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and triethylene glycol) against inactivation of two pathogen surrogates (Bacillus subtilis and MS2 bacteriophage) under laboratory controlled conditions using a purpose built-experimental chamber to control for microbiological and environmental variation. Variables to be evaluated include four different dispersion methods, five indoor relative humidity setpoints, and three different concentrations (sub-saturation, near-saturation, and super-saturation).

Evaluates the inactivation mechanisms of two glycol vapors (propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol) against two clinically relevant pathogens (influenza virus and Group A Streptococcus), aerosolized in human saliva and microbial growth media, using single-particle laboratory techniques.

Evaluates the inactivation mechanisms of three glycol vapors (propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and triethylene glycol) against three pathogen surrogates (MS2 bacteriophage, phi6 bacteriophage, and Escherichia coli bacteria) under controlled laboratory conditions using spectroscopic methods.