Objective To evaluate the performance of vaporized hydrogen peroxide （VHP） for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air （HEPA） filter unit. Methods Self-made or commercially available bioindi...Objective To evaluate the performance of vaporized hydrogen peroxide （VHP） for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air （HEPA） filter unit. Methods Self-made or commercially available bioindicators were placed at designated locations in the HEPA filter unit under VHP fumigation. The spores on coupons were then extracted by 0.5 h submergence in eluent followed by 200- time violent knocks. Results Due to the presence of HEPA filter in the box, spore recovery from coupons placed at the bottom of the filter downstream was significantly higher than that from coupons placed at the other locations. The gap of decontamination efficiency between the top and the bottom of the filter downstream became narrower with the exposure time extended. The decontamination efficiency of the bottom of the filter downstream only improved gently with the injection rate of H202 increased and the decontamination efficiency decreased instead when the injection rate exceeded 2.5 g/min. The commercially available bioindicators were competent to indicate the disinfection efficiency of VHP for the HEPA filter unit. Conclusion The HEPA filter unit is more difficult than common enclosure to decontaminate using VHP fumigation. Complete decontamination can be achieved by extending fumigation time. VHP fumigation can be applied for in-situ biodecontamination of the HEPA filter unit as an alternative method to formaldehyde fumigation.展开更多
基金supported by the Research Fund from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, 2009ZX10004-502 and 2009ZX10004-709
文摘Objective To evaluate the performance of vaporized hydrogen peroxide （VHP） for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air （HEPA） filter unit. Methods Self-made or commercially available bioindicators were placed at designated locations in the HEPA filter unit under VHP fumigation. The spores on coupons were then extracted by 0.5 h submergence in eluent followed by 200- time violent knocks. Results Due to the presence of HEPA filter in the box, spore recovery from coupons placed at the bottom of the filter downstream was significantly higher than that from coupons placed at the other locations. The gap of decontamination efficiency between the top and the bottom of the filter downstream became narrower with the exposure time extended. The decontamination efficiency of the bottom of the filter downstream only improved gently with the injection rate of H202 increased and the decontamination efficiency decreased instead when the injection rate exceeded 2.5 g/min. The commercially available bioindicators were competent to indicate the disinfection efficiency of VHP for the HEPA filter unit. Conclusion The HEPA filter unit is more difficult than common enclosure to decontaminate using VHP fumigation. Complete decontamination can be achieved by extending fumigation time. VHP fumigation can be applied for in-situ biodecontamination of the HEPA filter unit as an alternative method to formaldehyde fumigation.
