Studies on the effects of ionization on bacterial aerosols in a burns and plastic surgery unit.

The effect of the ionization of the air on the decay of bacterial aerosols was studied in a Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit. Ions were generated by free corona needles. The air content of bacteria measured by settle plates was found to be smaller during the ionization period than during the controls period. The number of individual phage typed Staph. aureus strains was especially found to be lower during ionization. The opposite potential increased the disappearance of bacteria from the air. The size of skin particles carrying bacteria is not optimum, but the results obtained show that the ionization may have applications in controlling airborne infection.