Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Routine cleaning and disinfection of turnout gear for Fire Fighters is of paramount importance. In their work, Fire-fighters are repeatedly exposed to pathogenic microorganisms. Research shows that 78% of firefighter service calls are not fire related. Typical calls are for emergency medical assistance that brings them in contact with the general public, leaving the firefighter exposed to blood borne pathogens, viral and bacterial contaminants. The majority of fire fighters in the North America are volunteers that regularly bring their fire gear home after duty without preliminary sanitization. Often their gear is washed at home, further exposing them and their families to dangers from pathogenic microorganisms among which could be HIV, Hepatitis,and MRSA. National Fire Protection Association 1851 regulation sets Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting states that it is imperative that the protective elements [turnout gear] be routinely inspected to ensure that they are clean, well maintained, and still safe. The existing cleaning procedure that involves machine washing performed by personnel of Fire Department and Lambton College School of Fire Sciences & Public Safety is found to be cumbersome and time consuming. Additionally, lots of time is wasted on waiting for the gear to dry so it can be returned to service. Presently, the need for improved procedures and technologies that will allow straightforward, fast and efficient cleaning of Fire-fighters turnout gear becomes evident. Novel technologies using ozone (O3) as a cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing agent are receiving growing attention and popularity. Ozone is a natural gas with strong oxidizing properties. It has capacity to effectively kills pathogenic microorganisms (see for example Moat J. et al Application of a novel decontamination process using gaseous ozone. Can. J. Microbiol. 2009 Aug;55(8):928-33.). The equipment performing ozone treatment has been successfully used in sports industry. Here bacteria contaminating sports-ware can enter the body through a cut or abrasion thus leading to severe health compromise. In recent years, infections with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a dangerous and important issue in the sports world (reviewed in Grosset-Janin A. et al Sport and infectious risk: a systematic review of the literature over 20 years. Med Mal Infect. 2012 Nov;42(11):533-44). Sani Sport is a leading company manufacturing cleaning machines that use ozone to protect the wearer by destroying pathogenic microorganisms including MRSA. This equipment has been identified as a possible novel approach for the cleaning and disinfection of Fire-fighters Turnout Gear.