scholarly journals Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide: A Well-Known Technology with a New Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (s1) ◽  
pp. 74-79
Author(s):  
Brian McEvoy ◽  
Randal Eveland
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Process Development ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Global Consensus ◽  
Material Compatibility ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Microorganism Inactivation ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Instrument Processing ◽  
True Alternative

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide has a multitude of uses and the vapor form was first identified as a sterilant in late 1970s. Following a number of developments, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) became widely adopted in early 90s as a substitute for ethylene oxide (EO) in device and instrument processing and reprocessing in healthcare facilities. Often VHP was hailed as the replacement technology for EO. Because of key limitations such as scale, penetration, and compatibility with packaging materials, adoption to terminal sterilization of single-use devices has not commenced to any significant level. However, recent developments in sterilization chamber design and process development provide new opportunity for consideration. For future products, such as those that require “end of production line sterilization,” such limitations may be reconsidered and overcome. This article describes those challenges and how they have been addressed, with practical examples. The development of global consensus standards and leveraging the well-established knowledge of VHP sterilization with regard to microorganism inactivation and material compatibility will help facilitate wider consideration of VHP technology as a true alternative to EO in certain product applications.

RESEARCH: Dry Heat Processing of Single-Use Respirators and Surgical Masks

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 410-416
Author(s):  
Joyce M. Hansen ◽  
Scott Weiss ◽  
Terra A. Kremer ◽  
Myrelis Aguilar ◽  
Gerald McDonnell
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Airborne Particles ◽  
Heat Processing ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Dry Heat ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Single Use

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has challenged healthcare providers in maintaining the supply of critical personal protective equipment, including single-use respirators and surgical masks. Single-use respirators and surgical masks can reduce risks from the inhalation of airborne particles and microbial contamination. The recent high-volume demand for single-use respirators and surgical masks has resulted in many healthcare facilities considering processing to address critical shortages. The dry heat process of 80°C (176°F) for two hours (120 min) has been confirmed to be an appropriate method for single-use respirator and surgical mask processing.

scholarly journals 1225. How Frequently Should Sink Drains Be Disinfected?

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S440-S440
Author(s):  
Jorge A Ramos-Castaneda ◽  
Matthew L Faron ◽  
Joshua Hyke ◽  
Blake W Buchan ◽  
Rahul Nanchal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Bacterial Reduction ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Bacterial Colony ◽  
Healthcare Facilities

Abstract Background New evidence shows the relevance of sink drains in the horizontal transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms. We recently demonstrated that a peroxide-based disinfectant (product B) was better than bleach at disinfecting sink drains; however, we did not determine the duration of this effect. In this study, we evaluate the duration of bacterial reduction in sink drains treated with product B and compared it to an enhanced hydrogen peroxide agent (product A). Methods Testing was performed in a 26-bed medical intensive care unit at a 566-bed tertiary care hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Two disinfectants were compared: product A (hydrogen peroxide, octanoic acid, and peroxyacetic acid; Virasept, Ecolab) and product B (hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant; Peroxide Multi Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant, Ecolab). Sinks were randomly assigned to product A, product B, and control (no disinfection). On day 0, baseline cultures were obtained and disinfectant agents were applied. On post-intervention days 1, 3, 5, and, 7, samples from each drain were collected using E-swabs (Copan, Italy). Quantitation of Gram-negative burden was determined by serial dilution in saline plated to MacConkey agar and dilutions that contained 20–200 colonies were used for bacterial colony-forming units (CFU). Multivariate multiple linear regression and analysis of variance were used to compare mean Ln(1+CFU) between groups using R v3.5.0. Environmental sampling, cultures, and statistical analyses were performed blinded to the disinfected used. Results All three groups had similar CFU counts at baseline (P > 0.05). On day 1, a statistically significant reduction in bacterial CFUs was observed in the group treated with product A compared with sinks treated with product B (P = 0.04) or the control group (P < 0.01). The same differences were observed on day 3 post-intervention. There were no significant reductions on days 5 and 7. Conclusion Product A was the most effective product at disinfecting sink drains but its effect disappeared at 5 days post-disinfection. These results suggest that treating sink drains every 5 days with a hydrogen peroxide mixture would be ideal for healthcare facilities dealing with sink drain contamination. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Progress in Starch-Based Materials for Food Packaging Applications

2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-177
Author(s):  
Lucia García-Guzmán ◽  
Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas ◽  
Cintya G. Soria-Hernández ◽  
Johanna Castaño ◽  
Andrea Y. Guadarrama-Lezama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Chemical Modification ◽  
Shelf Life ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Processing Techniques

The food packaging sector generates large volumes of plastic waste due to the high demand for packaged products with a short shelf-life. Biopolymers such as starch-based materials are a promising alternative to non-renewable resins, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly food packaging alternative for single-use products. This article provides a chronology of the development of starch-based materials for food packaging. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges faced in processing these materials using conventional processing techniques for thermoplastics and other emerging techniques such as electrospinning and 3D printing. The improvement of the performance of starch-based materials by blending with other biopolymers, use of micro- and nano-sized reinforcements, and chemical modification of starch is discussed. Finally, an overview of recent developments of these materials in smart food packaging is given.

scholarly journals Time Domain NMR in Polymer Science: From the Laboratory to the Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Besghini ◽  
Michele Mauri ◽  
Roberto Simonutti
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Process Development ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
Vulcanized Rubber ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
Space Requirements ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Analytical Tools

Highly controlled polymers and nanostructures are increasingly translated from the lab to the industry. Together with the industrialization of complex systems from renewable sources, a paradigm change in the processing of plastics and rubbers is underway, requiring a new generation of analytical tools. Here, we present the recent developments in time domain NMR (TD-NMR), starting with an introduction of the methods. Several examples illustrate the new take on traditional issues like the measurement of crosslink density in vulcanized rubber or the monitoring of crystallization kinetics, as well as the unique information that can be extracted from multiphase, nanophase and composite materials. Generally, TD-NMR is capable of determining structural parameters that are in agreement with other techniques and with the final macroscopic properties of industrial interest, as well as reveal details on the local homogeneity that are difficult to obtain otherwise. Considering its moderate technical and space requirements of performing, TD-NMR is a good candidate for assisting product and process development in several applications throughout the rubber, plastics, composites and adhesives industry.

Results of material compatibility investigation of hydrogen peroxide

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Schuh ◽  
Tobias Bartok ◽  
Robert-Jan Koopmans ◽  
Carsten A. Scharlemann
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Material Compatibility

scholarly journals Disinfectant Wipes Transfer Clostridioides difficile Spores from Contaminated Surfaces to Uncontaminated Surfaces during the Disinfection Process

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine A. Nkemngong ◽  
Gurpreet K. Chaggar ◽  
Xiaobao Li ◽  
Peter J. Teska ◽  
Haley F Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Quaternary Ammonium ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Contamination Risk ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Disinfection Process ◽  
The Us ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background: Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAI). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process. The objective of this study was to determine the cross-contamination risk that pre-wetted disinfectant towelettes may pose when challenged with C. difficile spores. We hypothesized that although the tested disinfectant wipes had no sporicidal claims, they will reduce spore loads. We also hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide disinfectant towelettes would present a lower cross-contamination risk than quaternary ammonium products. Methods: We evaluated the risk of cross-contamination when disinfectant wipes are challenged with C. difficile ATCC 43598 spores on Formica surfaces. A disinfectant wipe was used to wipe a Formica sheet inoculated with C. difficile. After the wiping process, we determined log10 CFU on previously uncontaminated pre-determined distances from the inoculation point and on the used wipes. Results: We found that the disinfectant wipes transferred C. difficile spores from inoculated surfaces to previously uncontaminated surfaces. We also found that wipes physically removed C. difficile spores and that hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were more sporicidal than the quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Conclusion: Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.

scholarly journals Quantitative form and fit of N95 filtering facepiece respirators are retained and coronavirus surrogate is inactivated after heat treatments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Massey ◽  
Monica Borucki ◽  
Samuel Paik ◽  
Kyle Fuhrer ◽  
Mihail Bora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Inactivation ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Filter Material ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Log Reduction ◽  
Quantitative Form ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Dry Heating ◽  
Single Use

SummaryRe-use of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs, commonly referred to as N95s) normally meant for single use only is becoming common in healthcare facilities due to shortages caused by the COVID19 pandemic. Here we report that mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) initially seeded on FFR filter material is inactivated (6 log reduction as measured by 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50)) after dry heating at 75 ºC for 30 minutes. We also find that the quantitative fit of FFRs after heat treatment at this temperature, under dry conditions or at 90% relative humidity, is not affected by single or ten heating cycles. Previous studies have reported that the filtration efficiency of FFR filters is not negatively impacted by these heating conditions. These results suggest that thermal inactivation of coronaviruses is a potentially rapid and widely deployable method to re-use N95 FFRs in emergency situations where re-using FFRs is a necessity and broad-spectrum sterilization is unavailable. However, we also found that a heat source that emits radiation (e.g., an exposed heating element) results in rapid qualitative degradation of the FFR. Finally, we discuss differences in the results reported here and other recent studies investing heat as a means to recycle FFRs and suggest that overall wear time and donning/doffing cycles are important factors that need to be considered.

Methods for identification, quantification and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 4977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suchitra Godbole
Keyword(s):  
Process Development ◽  
Quantitative Estimation ◽  
Molecular Weight Determination ◽  
Similar Material ◽  
Storage Material ◽  
Spectrophotometric Methods ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Energy Storage Material

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are the polymers of hydroxyalkanoates that accumulate as a carbon/energy storage material in various microorganisms. PHAs have been attracting considerable attention as biodegradable substitutes for conventional polymers, because of their similar material properties to conventional plastics. A number of review articles on the general features of PHAs, the physiology, genetics and molecular biology, the development of PHAs having novel monomer constituents, production processes, biodegradation of PHAs are available. Recently much effort has been devoted to develop a process for the economical production of PHAs. The isolation, analysis and characterization of PHAs are important factors for any process development. A number of methods have been developed for the analysis of PHAs. This paper is an effort to compile the methods available for the identification, quantitative estimation and characterization of PHAs. The methods described in this paper include- staining reactions, spectrophotometric methods, infrared and FTIR spectroscopy, HPLC, gas chromatography and GC-MS analysis, NMR spectroscopy, flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry, molecular weight determination and thermal analysis. The methods have been discussed with their advantages and disadvantages. Recent developments in the analysis of PHAs have also been discussed.

scholarly journals The sterilization efficacy of reprocessed single use diathermy pencils

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Batista Neto ◽  
Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano ◽  
Maria Clara Padoveze ◽  
Júlia Yaeko Kawagoe
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Ethylene Oxide ◽  
Failure Probability ◽  
Sterilization Method ◽  
Single Use

In Brazil, single use diathermy pencils (SUDP) are among the most common reused devices. This study assesses the sterilization efficacy of reprocessing SUDP using two cleansing methods (manual or automated), followed by one of three of the low-temperature sterilization methods: Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma (HPP), Ethylene Oxide (ETO) or Low-Temperature Steam Formaldehyde (LTSF). The sample was composed of 360 SUDP after their first use. The probability of sterilization failure was estimated considering the number of positive microbiological results obtained by cultures of the studied devices. The overall sterilization failure probability for SUDP was 0.26. The sterilization method, which presented the lowest failure probability was the LTSF (0.01), followed by ETO (0.21) and HPP (0.56). Automated cleansing obtained a better result than manual cleansing. This trial demonstrated that the probability of sterilization in reprocessed SUDP is highly dependent on both the type of cleansing and the sterilization method applied.

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