EXCIMER-LASER CLEANING OF MOLD-CONTAMINATED PAPER - STERILIZATION ANDAIR-QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS

The Excimer laser can be used to remove biological debris from underly ing substrates. The ability of the krypton fluoride (KrF) Excimer lase r to remove Aspergillus niger mold, which had been grown on filter pap er, was evaluated in the present study. The air in the immediate vicin ity of the laser cleaning apparatus was sampled to determine if viable mold fragments were released into the air during treatment. It was fo und that filter paper could be sterilized with the Excimer laser wavel ength with the proper selection of parameters. During this process, vi able spores and mold fragments are released into the atmosphere, and p ose a relative risk unless proper measures to prevent contamination of the work area are taken.