Remote delivery of hydroxyl radicals via secondary chemistry of a nonthermal plasma effluent.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to observe hydroxyl radicals produced by an atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma device at distances greater than 1 m from the discharge. The plasma device is an indirect treatment setup with closed loop airflow and hydrogen peroxide additives that is effective in deactivating bacteria on time scales of seconds. The generation of the detected hydroxyl radicals is shown to occur in secondary chemical processes near the point of delivery of the plasma treated air stream.

In vitro analysis of nonthermal plasma as a disinfecting agent.

Objective: To determine the effect of nonthermal plasma on Staphylococcus aureus, fibroblasts in monolayer culture, and clean and contaminated skin explants.

Sample Population: Normal skin from euthanized horses.

Procedures: S aureus organisms were plated and treated with nonthermal plasma followed by bacterial culture to assess viability.