This proposal presents means to render ineffective and non-lethal aerosolized biological agents released in a building, either during an attack or after the event, with minimal damage to occupants or the building surfaces. Certain organoiodine-based salts are known to destroy bacteria, molds, spores, and some viruses at very low concentrations. These salts are very effective, both in dry form and in aqueous solution. At the same time, the toxicity to mammalian life is low. Commercial disinfectants were contemplated in patents related to their use, but never implemented due to the high cost of synthesis by conventional means. A relatively inexpensive electrochemical synthesis route, patented and demonstrated on a pilot scale for a few of these salts, is proposed to prepare a number of biologically active candidate neutralization/decontamination salts. Candidate samples would be tested on simulant organisms in Phase I. Biological neutralization agents could find use in treating hospital air to eliminate airborne pathogens, including Pseudomonas bacteria, without adding chemicals to the air stream. The salts could be used to decontaminate housing after floods and could be used to prevent mildew and other spore-generated microbial infestations on surfaces. The salts may have application to kill nematodes and disrupt attachment of mollusks to water inlets and ship hulls.
