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Excimer laser cleaning of mold-contaminated paper: Sterilization and air quality considerations

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Abstract

The Excimer laser can be used to remove biological debris from underlying substrates. The ability of the krypton fluoride (KrF) Excimer laser to removeAspergillus niger mold, which had been grown on filter paper, was evaluated in the present study. The air in the immediate vicinity of the laser cleaning apparatus was sampled to determine if viable mold fragments were released into the air during treatment. It was found that filter paper could be sterilized with the Excimer laser wavelength with the proper selection of parameters. During this process, viable spores and mold fragments are released into the atmosphere, and pose a relative risk unless proper measures to prevent contamination of the work area are taken.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    T. R. Friberg & R. Kowalski

  2. Foundation for Research and Technology, HELLAS (FORTH), Crete, Greece

    V. Zafiropulos, M. Kalaitzaki, J. Petrakis & C. Fotakis

Authors
  1. T. R. Friberg
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  2. V. Zafiropulos
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  3. M. Kalaitzaki
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  4. R. Kowalski
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  5. J. Petrakis
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  6. C. Fotakis
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Friberg, T.R., Zafiropulos, V., Kalaitzaki, M. et al. Excimer laser cleaning of mold-contaminated paper: Sterilization and air quality considerations. Laser Med Sci 12, 55–59 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02763922

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02763922

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