Sustainable Air Disinfection Technology Innovations for Resources Limited Setting

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议创建虚拟的梅尔文第一国际创新空气消毒技术中心。该中心位于波士顿，与美国和国外（最初是南非）的大学和机构合作，将提供一个机会，支持3名来自不同学科（工程、医学、建筑、公共卫生）的年轻研究人员进行为期一年的深入学习和指导研究，以解决聚集环境中空气传播的耐药结核病（TB）这一主要的全球健康问题。在最初的一年里，他们将通过一系列非常具体的、短期的、相互关联的项目，重点关注在资源有限的环境中实施上层房间紫外线空气消毒的障碍。研究和研究培训将在该领域一些最有经验的研究人员的指导下进行，这些研究人员位于该专业领域的一些世界一流大学。将有4个相互关联的具体目标，以解决以下实施障碍：1)确定上层房间的适当和最佳紫外线剂量，以及如何在现场保证；2)优化在发展中国家使用的最近验证的计算机辅助设计（CAD）程序的应用，包括使用它来创建供实地使用的设计案例手册；3)设计和表征更高效、负担得起、安全和可持续的标准化杀菌紫外线装置，以便在资源有限的环境中生产和使用。这是我们的首要目标。在这项为期一年的拨款中，我们将刺激南非生产可持续的低成本固定装置模型，并测试它们是否符合性能规格；4)确定垂直空气混合的基本贡献及其在现场的保证。我们的长期目标是利用这一独特合作的成果，促进在世界各地存在耐多药结核病传播问题的许多其他资源有限的环境中实施上层房间空气消毒，包括在当地生产高质量固定装置。计划采用类似的合作方法开发其他有前途的、新颖的、可持续的空气消毒技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose the creation of the virtual Melvin First International Center for Innovative Air Disinfection Technology. The Center, based in Boston, with collaborating universities and agencies in the US and abroad (South Africa, initially), will provide an opportunity to support 3 young investigators committed to global health from a variety of disciplines (engineering, medicine, architecture, public health) for one year of intensive study and mentored research to address the major global health problem of airborne drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) transmission in congregate settings. For this initial year they will focus narrowly on barriers to the implementation of upper room ultraviolet air disinfection in resource-limited settings through a series of very specific, short-term, interrelated projects. Research and research training will be under the guidance of some of the most experienced investigators in the field based at some of the world's premier universities in this specialized discipline. There will be 4 specific interrelated objectives addressing the following implementation barriers: 1) To define adequate and optimal UV dose in the upper room and how it can be assured in the field; 2) To optimize application of a recently validated computer assisted design (CAD) program for use in developing countries, including its use to create of a design case-book for field use; 3) To design and characterize more efficient, affordable, safe, and sustainable standardized germicidal UV fixtures for manufacture and use in resource- limited settings. This is our top priority objective. Within this one-year grant, we will stimulate production in South Africa of models of sustainable, low cost fixtures and test their compliance with performance specifications; and 4) To define the essential contribution of vertical air mixing and its assurance in the field. Our long-term goals are to use the results of this unique collaboration to facilitate the implementation of upper room air disinfection, including local production of quality fixtures, in many other resource limited settings around the world where MDR-TB transmission is a problem. A similar collaborative approach to the development of other promising, novel, sustainable air disinfection technologies is planned. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The rapid spread of highly drug resistant TB is threatening global control efforts as well as the scale up of anti-retroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS. Health care workers are especially vulnerable to nosocomial TB transmission. However, the air disinfection innovations resulting from this project will benefit resource-poor and resource-rich countries alike in reducing the spread In the general population of other infections that are predominantly or opportunistically airborne, such as influenza, bird flu, and certain bioterrorism agents.,, including smallpox and anthrax.