In November 2023, "Scientific Reports" published a study on "Plasma disinfection procedures for surfaces in emergency vehicles: a field trial at the German Red Cross". The authors, Tom Schaal (Professor of Management in Healthcare, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau) and Ulrich Schmelz (Lecturer in Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences in Fulda), investigated the suitability of reactive products, which are generated from atmospheric oxygen and water vapor and activated by the use of cold plasma, as a method for disinfecting ambulances. The product PLASMOCAR, developed by WK-MedTec, was used. For this purpose, a limited area in an ambulance was contaminated with the reference bacterium Enterococcus faecium. After the subsequent 30-minute application of PLASMOCAR, a disinfection effect was demonstrated that eliminated up to 99.99% of the microorganisms.
PLASMOCAR generates ionized gas, so-called cold plasma. The charged particles it contains have a disinfecting effect. They dry out the cell walls of bacteria and viruses, causing them to die. At the same time, they are harmless to human cells. The cold plasma required is generated from the ambient air by the cold plasma source in PLASMOCAR using electricity, without producing any waste material. The 12-volt power source of a motor vehicle is sufficient for the process. The device is maintenance-free and has a service life of around three years in continuous operation.
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