Method and apparatus for sterilizing and disinfecting air and surfaces and protecting a zone from external microbial contamination

Abstract

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for destroying a DNA or RNA of a microorganism on a substance or surface comprising the steps of:
 generating photons of at least one wavelength corresponding to a peak absorption wavelength of DNA or RNA, the at least one wavelength being at least one of 207 nm, 222 nm, 280 nm, 282 nm, and 308 nm;   directing the photons to a substance or surface to be disinfected, whereby the photons are selected to destroy a plurality of chemical bonds within the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms; and   wherein the substance or surface to be disinfected is an eye tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the microorganism is at least one of a bacteria, a virus, a fungus, an amoeba, and a protozoa. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of generating photons comprises activating a lamp positioned within a wand, and wherein the step of directing comprises positioning of the wand. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing comprises passing the generated photons through a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing comprises positioning a lamp approximately two centimeters away from the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the photons further comprises the step of providing 540 kJ/mole of photon energy to the substance or surface to be disinfected. 
     
     
         7 . A process for destroying a DNA or RNA of a microorganism on a substance or surface comprising the steps of:
 generating photons of at least two single line wavelengths corresponding to a peak absorption wavelength of DNA or RNA, the at least two single line wavelengths being at least two of 207 nm, 222 nm, 254 nm, 280 nm, 282 nm, and 308 nm; and   directing the photons to a substance or surface to be disinfected, wherein the substance or surface to be disinfected is an eye tissue, whereby the photons are selected to destroy a plurality of chemical bonds within the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms.   
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the step of directing comprises passing the generated photons through a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the step of generating photons comprises activating a lamp positioned within a wand, and wherein the step of directing comprises positioning of the wand. 
     
     
         10 . A process for destroying a DNA or RNA of a microorganism on a substance or surface comprising the steps of:
 generating photons of at least one wavelength corresponding to a peak absorption wavelength of DNA or RNA, the at least one wavelength being at least one of 222 nm and 282 nm;   directing the photons to a substance or surface to be disinfected, whereby the photons are selected to destroy a plurality of chemical bonds within the DNA or RNA of the microorganisms; and   wherein the substance or surface to be disinfected is an eye tissue.