Epidemiologic Observations on the Use of Glycol Vapors for Air Sterilization

Abstract

THE clearly established bactericidal and viricidal effect of glycol vapors on air-suspended microorganisms has presented a new means for attack on the problem of control of airborne infection. Following intensive laboratory studies on the fundamental aspects of this problem, which have been well summarized in a recent publication,1 certain practical studies were necessary before full scale clinical application could be attempted. These included investigation of possible fire hazards in the use of these compounds,2 observations on the properties of glycol vapors in large spaces, and the development of apparatus for generation and distribution of the vapor.3 4 The encouraging outcome of these studies led to a large scale field trial to determine if the incidence of airborne infections can be reduced by treating * Presented at a Joint t The engineering aspects of this test have been described in detail elsewhere.6 living quarters with triethylene glycol (TEG) vapor in effective concentrations .: Triethylene glycol was used in this study since it is effective in much lower concentrations than propylene glycol and has been shown to be similarly non-toxic in the recommended concentrations. MATERIALS Locatipn of Study-Two two-story barracks, each consisting of two wings, were selected for study. These buildings were divided into eight dormitories, each 120 x 30 x 9 ft; each dormitory housed approximately 80 men in 40 double bunks about 1Y2 ft. apart. It was decided to use four of the dormitories for test, and four for control purposes. The east wing of one building and the west wing of the other (four dormitories) were used as tests; the remaining four dormitories served as controls. We started with 320 test individuals and 320 controls, which were replaced by a new group of men at 6 week intervals. We were able to observe three such groups, or a total of 1,000 men in the test group and 1,000 in the controls. This number is approximate since some men were transferred and exchanged during our ob-[7881