Aerosolised chemicals for respiratory system and environment disinfection

Various chemicals and molecules have been employed for decontamination in healthcare settings and for disinfection within the respiratory system. Recently, aerosolised delivery methods have been incorporated into decontamination and disinfection protocols to enhance antibacterial and antiviral efficacy. In this review, we discuss the current applications of aerosolised small molecules and chemicals, and other common techniques such as plasma activated products and gaseous agents, for respiratory system disinfection and environmental decontamination. We also highlight the advantages and limitations of these techniques, along with health and safety considerations of chemical and biological decontamination in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) contexts. Ultimately, we will examine if a common effective agent exists that can bridge environmental decontamination and in vivo respiratory disinfection which would be suitable for rapid deployment.