Transcript Disinfection in lab environment

The role of
Disinfection/Sanitization/Sterilization in the
Laboratory Animal Facility
By Belinda Buehl
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Why is it important?
Integrity of the
research project
Colony health
Employee health
Required by rules and
regs from AALAS and
“The Guide”
Reduces biohazards
What is the difference?
Disinfection: Reduction of the # of
pathogenic microorganisms on an
object to harmless levels.
Sanitization: Reduction of the # of
microorganisms on a object to a
level acceptable for public health
standards.
Sterilization: Destruction of all
organisms on an object.
-cidal: kills
-static: inhibits
Methods you might use
Autoclave
Gas sterilization
Chemical
Radiation
Other
Autoclave
Uses steam under
pressure
Length of time
dependent on # of
items sterilized,
minimum is 15 min @
250°F(121°C) at 15
psi
Large and small
models available
depending on use
Positives and Negatives of
Autoclaving
Positives
Inexpensive
Reliable
No use of toxic chemicals
Negatives
Can be corrosive
Many objects cannot withstand autoclaving
Use of high temperatures and pressure can be dangerous
Items must be wrapped in appropriate materials and the
autoclave must not be overloaded or steam won’t penetrate
objects
Gas Sterilization
Uses ETO (Ethylene oxide gas)
Kills all known viruses, bacteria, & fungi (even
bacterial spores)
Positives and Negatives of ETO
Gas Sterilization
Positives
Good for instruments that cannot be steam sterilized
Effective against bacterial spores
Negatives
Special equipment is required
Gas is colorless, toxic, and very flammable
Materials to be sterilized must be dry, and well aerated once
sterilization is done
Explosive!
Chemical Sterilization
Most commonly used for surgical instruments
Cidex (glutaraldehyde) is most common
Requires 3 hours or more of exposure time
Bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal, and sporicidal
Can be used for other surfaces
Formalin/Formaldehyde
Often used to sterilize rooms
Used in a “bomb” form: formalin soln or crystals are
heated & allowed to dissipate throughout the room
Toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive: i.e. DANGEROUS
Rooms must be free of any metal material or organic
debris
Rooms must also be sealed completely and not entered
for at least 24 hours.
Limited penetrability
Chemicals for disinfection
Phenols
Alcohols
Halides
Aldehydes
Phenols
1st used in clinical practice
Phenol itself is corrosive and toxic
Chlorhexidine is a phenol derivative
common in the lab animal field
Can be used as a skin disinfectant
Alcohols
Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol
Works by dehydrating cells, coagulating
proteins, and disrupting cell membranes
70% aqueous solution is more effective
than full strength
Halides
Chlorine and Iodine
Powerful oxidising agents
Rapidly become inactive in the presence of
organic material
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and Povidone
iodine are common preparations
Aldehydes
Denature proteins
Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde (also
used for sterilization)
Become inactivated in the presence of
organic matter
Methods of disinfection, etc used
by the lab animal tech
All of the above mentioned could be a method
used
There are many methods to prevent spread of
disease such as:
Disinfecting foot baths
Dedicated mops, brooms, buckets to animal rooms
Following strict guidelines on how often rooms,
cages, etc are to be cleaned
Wash hands often!!!!
Personal Protective Equipment
Very important to think about when using
the methods described
Some forms of PPE would be heatproof
mitts, masks, goggles, gloves, rubber
boots, coveralls, face shields, respirators,
and more
Guidelines
Always follow guidelines on the instruments or chemical containers
Know where the MSDS sheets are located (Material Safety Data
Sheets)
Never dilute chemicals more than required as they may not be as
effective
Likewise, don’t use a soln. that is too concentrated, it could be
harmful to you and the animals
Follow the rules set forth by The Guide for the Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals and by AALAS.
Have SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) written up and
located in binders for reference.
If you have questions, ASK!!!!!!!
Where could you work as a Lab
Animal Tech?
You’d be surprised!
University campuses
Pharmaceutical companies
Wildlife facilities
Governmental agencies (state and federal)
Private corporations
Pet food companies
And many more!!!
A little about me
BS in Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology
Associate Degree as a Veterinary Technician and Laboratory Animal
Technician
Worked at the following facilities:
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Dane County Humane Society
DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management
National Wildlife Health Center
Deer-Grove Veterinary Clinic
MATC
Covance
UW Madison – Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital
Animals I have worked with as a
Lab Animal Tech
Any Questions????