14. Disinfection and sterilization
14. Disinfection and sterilization
a basic knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is crucial for biosafety in the laboratory. Since heavily soiled items cannot promptly be disinfected or sterilized, it is equally important to understand the fundamentals of cleaning prior to disinfection(precleaning). In this regard, the following general principles apply to all known classes of microbial pathogens
A basic knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is crucial for biosafety in the laboratory. Since heavily soiled items cannot promptly be disinfected or sterilized, it is equally important to understand the fundamentals of cleaning prior to disinfection (precleaning). In this regard, the following general principles apply to all known classes of microbial pathogens
Specific decontamination requirements will depend on the type of experimental work and the nature of the infectious agent(s) being handled. The generic information given here can be used to develop both standardized and more specific procedures to deal with biohazard(s) involved in a particular laboratory
Specific decontamination requirements will depend on the type of experimental work and the nature of the infectious agent(s) being handled. The generic information given here can be used to develop both standardized and more specific procedures to deal with biohazard(s) involved in a particular laboratory
Contact times for disinfectants are specific for each material and manufacturer. Therefore. all recommendations for use of disinfectants should follow manufacturers' specifications
Contact times for disinfectants are specific for each material and manufacturer. Therefore, all recommendations for use of disinfectants should follow manufacturers’ specifications
Definitions Many different terms are used for disinfection and sterilization. The following are among the more common in biosafety:
Definitions Many different terms are used for disinfection and sterilization. The following are among the more common in biosafety:
Antimicrobial- An agent that kills microorganisms or suppresses their growth and multiplication Antiseptic-A substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily killing them. Antiseptics are usually applied to body surfaces. Biocide -a general term for any agent that kills organis ms Chemical germicide -A chemical or a mixture of chemicals used to kill micro-organisms
Antimicrobial – An agent that kills microorganisms or suppresses their growth and multiplication. Antiseptic – A substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily killing them. Antiseptics are usually applied to body surfaces. Biocide – A general term for any agent that kills organis ms. Chemical germicide – A chemical or a mixture of chemicals used to kill micro-organisms
Decontamination- Any process for removing and/or killing microorganisms. The same term is also used for removing or neutralizing hazardous chemicals and radio active materials Disinfectant-A chemical or mixture of chemicals used to kill microorganisms but not necessarily spores Disinfectants are usually applied to inanimate surfaces or obiects
Decontamination – Any process for removing and/or killing microorganisms. The same term is also used for removing or neutralizing hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials. Disinfectant – A chemical or mixture of chemicals used to kill microorganisms, but not necessarily spores. Disinfectants are usually applied to inanimate surfaces or objects
Disinfection-A physical or chemical means of killing microorganisms, but not necessarily spores. Microbicide -A chemical or mixture of chemicals that kills microorganisms. The term is often used in place of “ biocide”,“ chemical germicide”or“ antimicrobial” Sporocide -A chemical or mixture of chemicals used to kill microorganisms and spores Sterilization -A process that kills and/or removes all classes of microorganisms and spores
Disinfection – A physical or chemical means of killing microorganisms, but not necessarily spores. Microbicide – A chemical or mixture of chemicals that kills microorganisms. The term is often used in place of “biocide”, “chemical germicide” or “antimicrobial”. Sporocide – A chemical or mixture of chemicals used to kill microorganisms and spores. Sterilization – A process that kills and/or removes all classes of microorganisms and spores
Cleaning la boratory materials Cleaning is the removal of dirt, organic matter and stains leaning includes brushing, vacuuming, dry dusting, washing or damp mopping with water containing a soap or detergent. Dirt, soil and organic matter can shield microorganisms and can interfere with the killing action of decontaminants(antiseptics, chemical germicides and disinfectants)
Cleaning laboratory materials Cleaning is the removal of dirt, organic matter and stains. Cleaning includes brushing, vacuuming, dry dusting, washing or damp mopping with water containing a soap or detergent. Dirt, soil and organic matter can shield microorganisms and can interfere with the killing action of decontaminants (antiseptics, chemical germicides and disinfectants)
Precleaning is essential to achieve proper disinfection or sterilization. Many germi- cidal products claim activity only on precleaned items. Precleaning must be carried out with care to avoid exposure to infectious agents. Materials chemically compatible with the germicides to be applied later must be used. It is quite common to use the same chemical germicide for precleaning and disinfection
Precleaning is essential to achieve proper disinfection or sterilization. Many germi- cidal products claim activity only on precleaned items. Precleaning must be carried out with care to avoid exposure to infectious agents. Materials chemically compatible with the germicides to be applied later must be used. It is quite common to use the same chemical germicide for precleaning and disinfection
