AEM
Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Baribo, L. E.
Right arrow Articles by O'Neill, R. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Baribo, L. E.
Right arrow Articles by O'Neill, R. D.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Baribo, L. E.
Right arrow Articles by O'Neill, R. D.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1966 November; 14(6): 905-913
Copyright © 1966 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of Electrostatic Charge on the Contamination of Plastic Food Containers by Airborne Bacterial Spores

Lester E. Baribo1, John S. Avens2 and Richard D. O'Neill3

Syracuse University Research Corporation, Microbiological-Biochemical Center, Syracuse, New York

ABSTRACT

Electrostatic charge of approximately -10 kv was produced by friction on polystyrene food container samples. This charge quickly decayed to a lower, more stable, level. Exposure of samples to positively charged red and negatively charged green fluorescent particles resulted in a particle-distribution pattern on the plastic surface. The dynamic attraction of fluorescent particles was illustrated by time-lapse photography. Similar distribution patterns of airborne bacterial spores were shown to develop. In controlled bacterial aerosol exposure tests, an increase in surface contamination of the plastic samples was found to be quantitatively related to an increase in negative electrostatic charge on the plastic. Static charge was found to accumulate on plastic food containers during their manufacture, and to remain indefinitely on many of the finished products. This charge was of the intensity and polarity to attract positively charged bacterial cells if such particles were present in the air.

FOOTNOTES

1 Present address: Weyerhaeuser Company, Seattle, Wash.

2 Present address: New York State University, Buffalo.

3 Present address: The Glidden Company, Cleveland 14, Ohio.

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1966 November; 14(6): 905-913
Copyright © 1966 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
J. Bacteriol. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. Eukaryot. Cell All ASM Journals

Copyright © 1966 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.