Formaldehyde space decontamination

Table 5.3 lists the conditions for effective formaldehyde space decontamination. 

Chemical disinfectants that can be used as space decontaminants include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde vapor, ethylene oxide, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and methyl bromide. When these are used in closed systems and under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity, excellent disinfection can be obtained. Residues from ethylene oxide must be removed by aeration ethylene oxide is convenient to use, versatile, and noncorrosive, but it is explosive and extremely toxic and, being a carcinogen, is a potential health hazard. Peracetic acid is corrosive for metals and rubber. 

Formaldehyde is one of the most recommended disinfectants for space decontamination. It is widely used to disinfect safety cabinets, incubators, refrigerators, laboratory rooms, buildings, and other enclosed spaces (427). Formaldehyde vapors can be generated fi om aqueous solutions (formalin) containing 37 to 40 percent formaldehyde by heating or by vaporizing the solution. Formaldehyde gas... 

Formaldehyde may combine with hydrochloric acid to form hiXchloromethyl) ether, a compound which is carcinogenic (3, 157). Therefore, when formaldehyde is to be used as a space disinfectant, the area to be treated should be surveyed to insure that there are no open containers of any acidic solution containing chloride ion. Because of the hazards inherent in the use of formaldehyde for space decontamination, this procedure should only be undertaken by those having the proper training and equipment to accomplish the procedure safely. Also, formaldehyde vapor is explosive at concentrations between 7.0 and 73.0 percent by volume in air. These concentrations, however, should not be reached when standard procedures are used. In the concentrations used for space disinfection, formaldehyde has no effect on cockroaches and probably none on other insects and arachnids. 

Formaldehyde vapour generated from formaldehyde solution is an effective space disinfectant for decontaminating rooms or buildings. It inactivates vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses. Formaldehyde... 

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