The administration of gaseous nitric oxide as a biocidal moiety is
proffered as a de novo treatment in the control and eradication of
biofilms. The present invention relates to the use or methods of
application of exogenous nitric oxide gas (gNO) as a stand alone biocidal
agent or in cohort with any or all adjunct vehicles in the control of
biofilms generated by microbial organisms, i.e., bacteria, protozoa,
amoeba, fungi etc. Further, the present invention introduces the concept
of utilization and methods of application of gaseous nitric oxide in
control and eradication of biofilm forming microorganisms. Noteworthy
areas of application are offered as examples. They include, and are not
limited to, air and/or water heating/cooling distribution systems in
facilities such as hospitals and laboratories, surfaces of medical
devices, household surfaces, dental plaque, dental and/or medical water
treatment lines, industrial pipelines, water treatment and distribution
facilities and fluids sterilization. Various specialized delivery
apparatus will be designed to facilitate nitric oxide gas administration
to each specific unique application.