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Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2019Biobanks are facilities that collect, process, store, annotate, and distribute high-quality and well-maintained human biological specimens (biospecimens) for... (Review)
Review
Biobanks are facilities that collect, process, store, annotate, and distribute high-quality and well-maintained human biological specimens (biospecimens) for investigational use. They play a crucial role in biomarker research and contribute to our understanding about preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Majority of the biospecimens are from patients volunteering to provide biospecimens that would normally be discarded after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Potential pathogens in collected biospecimens may contaminate the instruments and work space, leaving the personnel at risk of being infected. Meanwhile, cross-contamination can cause disastrous results during retrieval of information from the biospecimen. In this chapter, commonly used chemical germicides are introduced, including chlorine, alcohols, phenolics, aldehydes (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde), quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats), iodophors, and hydrogen peroxide, with detailed steps on cleaning and decontaminating the biobank facility. We also discuss some of the major common biohazardous agents including tuberculosis, viruses (HIV, HBV, HCV), and prions.
Topics: Alcohols; Aldehydes; Biological Specimen Banks; Chlorine; Decontamination; Humans; Infection Control; Phenols; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 30539448
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8935-5_20 -
Chemico-biological Interactions Aug 2021Decontamination of unprotected skin areas is crucial to prevent excessive penetration of chemical contaminants after criminal or accidental release. A review of... (Review)
Review
Decontamination of unprotected skin areas is crucial to prevent excessive penetration of chemical contaminants after criminal or accidental release. A review of literature studies was performed to identify the available decontamination methods adopted to treat skin contamination after chemical, radiological and metal exposures. In this bibliographic review, an overview of the old and recent works on decontamination procedures followed in case of potential hazards substances contaminations with a comparison between these systems are provided. Almost all data from our 95 selected studies conducted in vitro and in vivo revealed that a rapid skin decontamination process is the most efficient way to reduce the risk of intoxication. The commonly-used or recommended conventional procedures are simple rinsing with water only or soapy water. However, this approach has some limitations because an easy removal by flushing may not be sufficient to decontaminate all chemical deposited on the skin, and skin absorption can be enhanced by the wash-in effect. Other liquid solutions or systems as adsorbent powders, mobilizing agents, chelation therapy are also applied as decontaminants, but till nowadays does not exist a decontamination method which can be adopted in all situations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more efficient and successful decontaminating formulations.
Topics: Chemical Warfare Agents; Decontamination; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Metals; Radioisotopes; Skin; Skin Absorption; Soaps; Water
PubMed: 34051209
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109481 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Mar 2002The appropriate use of decontamination techniques may prevent or limit the adverse effects of many toxic substances. No one approach to decontamination is appropriate in... (Review)
Review
The appropriate use of decontamination techniques may prevent or limit the adverse effects of many toxic substances. No one approach to decontamination is appropriate in all situations. Decontamination procedures should be designed to suit both the individual patient and the circumstances of exposure. Inappropriate use of decontamination procedures may complicate the successful treatment of toxicosis and negatively impact case outcome.
Topics: Animals; Decontamination; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Veterinary Medicine
PubMed: 12012737
DOI: 10.1016/s0195-5616(01)00007-9 -
The Journal of Hospital Infection Feb 2022Decontamination of non-critical objects shared by patients is key in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but it is a complex process that needs precise... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Decontamination of non-critical objects shared by patients is key in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but it is a complex process that needs precise guidance from UK National Health Service (NHS) acute care organizations (ACOs).
AIM
To review the indications given by NHS ACOs' policies regarding the decontamination of shared non-critical devices.
METHODS
Detailed lists of decontamination protocols for shared non-critical objects were retrieved from cleaning, disinfection and decontamination policies of 35 NHS ACOs. Three parameters were considered for each object: decontamination method, decontamination frequency, and person responsible for decontamination.
FINDINGS
In total, 1279 decontamination protocols regarding 283 different shared non-critical objects were retrieved. Of these, 689 (54%) did not indicate the person responsible for decontamination, and only 425 (33%) were complete, giving indications for all three parameters analysed. Only 2.5% (32/1279) of decontamination protocols were complete and identical in two policies. In policies where cleaning represented the major decontamination method, chemical disinfection was rarely mentioned and vice versa. General agreement among policies was found for four main decontamination methods (detergent and water, detergent wipes, disinfectant wipes, and use of disposable items), two decontamination frequencies (between events and daily) and two responsible person designations (nurses and domestic staff).
CONCLUSIONS
Decontamination protocol policies for shared non-critical objects had some similarities but did not concur on how each individual object should be decontaminated. The lack of clear indications regarding the person responsible for the decontamination process put at risk the ability of policies to serve as guidance.
Topics: Decontamination; Disinfection; Humans; Policy; State Medicine; United Kingdom
PubMed: 34767870
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.021 -
Annals of Work Exposures and Health Jan 2021Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are made for one-time use. A massive shortage of FFRs is widespread during pandemic events and has forced many healthcare... (Review)
Review
Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are made for one-time use. A massive shortage of FFRs is widespread during pandemic events and has forced many healthcare organizations to decontaminate them and re-use for a limited time. Many decontamination methods have been proposed for the decontamination of FFRs. This review highlights various aspects of decontamination methods available in the literature. Among various methods available, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet irradiation, and dry heat seem to be the most promising decontaminants for FFRs. On the other hand, microwave, bleach, ethylene oxide, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide liquid, sanitizing wipes, and soap and water are not recommended methods for FFR decontamination.
Topics: Decontamination; Delivery of Health Care; Equipment Reuse; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Protective Devices; Ventilators, Mechanical
PubMed: 32929450
DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa090 -
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Oct 2021International guidelines stipulate that autoclavation is necessary to sterilize surgical equipment. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for decontamination of... (Review)
Review
International guidelines stipulate that autoclavation is necessary to sterilize surgical equipment. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for decontamination of medical devices require four levels of decontamination: cleaning, low- and high-level disinfection, as well as sterilization. Following disasters, there is a substantial need for wound care surgery. This requires prompt availability of a significant volume of instruments that are adequately decontaminated. Ideally, they should be sterilized using an autoclave, but due to the resource-limited field context, this may be impossible. The aim of this study was therefore to identify whether there are portable and less resource-demanding techniques to decontaminate surgical instruments for safe wound care surgery in disasters. A scoping review was chosen, and searches were performed in three scientific databases, grey literature, and included data from organizations and journals. Articles were scanned for decontamination techniques feasible for use in the resource-scarce disaster setting given that: they achieved at least high-level disinfected instruments, were portable, and did not require electricity. A total of 401 articles were reviewed, yielding 13 articles for inclusion. The study identified three techniques: pressure cooking, boiling, and liquid chemical immersion, all achieving either sterilized or high-level disinfected instruments. It was concluded that besides autoclaves, there are less resource-demanding decontamination techniques available for safe wound surgery in disasters. This study provides systematic information to guide optimal standard setting for sterilization of surgical material in resource-limited disaster settings.
Topics: Decontamination; Disasters; Disinfection; Equipment Contamination; Humans; Surgical Instruments
PubMed: 34550059
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X2100090X -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Nov 2022As the world battles with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it also prepares for future global pandemics that threaten our health, economy, and survivor. During the...
As the world battles with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it also prepares for future global pandemics that threaten our health, economy, and survivor. During the outbreak, it became evident that use of personal protective equipment (PPE), specially face masks, can significantly slow the otherwise uncontrolled spread of the virus. Nevertheless, the outbreak and its new variants have caused shortage of PPE in many regions of the world. In addition, waste management of the enormous economical and environmental footprint of single use PPE has proven to be a challenge. Therefore, this study advances the theme of decontaminating used masks. More specifically, the effect of various decontamination techniques on the integrity and functionality of nanofiber-based N95 masks (i.e. capable of at least filtering 95% of 0.3 μm aerosols) were examined. These techniques include 70% ethanol, bleaching, boiling, steaming, ironing as well as placement in autoclave, oven, and exposure to microwave (MW) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Herein, filtration efficiency (by Particle Filtration Efficiency equipment), general morphology, and microstructure of nanofibers (by Field Emission Scanning Electron microscopy) prior and after every decontamination technique were observed. The results suggest that decontamination of masks with 70% ethanol can lead to significant unfavorable changes in the microstructure and filtration efficiency (down to 57.33%) of the masks. In other techniques such as bleaching, boiling, steaming, ironing and placement in the oven, filtration efficiency dropped to only about 80% and in addition, some morphological changes in the nanofiber microstructure were seen. Expectedly, there was no significant reduction in filtration efficiency nor microstructural changes in the case of placement in autoclave and exposure to the UV light. It was concluded that, the latter methods are preferable to decontaminate nanofiber-based N95 masks.
Topics: Humans; N95 Respirators; Nanofibers; Decontamination; COVID-19; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets; Steam; Ethanol
PubMed: 35716305
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20903-w -
Environmental Science & Technology Apr 2019Since the intentional release of Bacillus anthracis spores through the U.S. Postal Service in the fall of 2001, research and development related to decontamination for... (Review)
Review
Since the intentional release of Bacillus anthracis spores through the U.S. Postal Service in the fall of 2001, research and development related to decontamination for this biological agent have increased substantially. This review synthesizes the advances made relative to B. anthracis spore decontamination science and technology since approximately 2002, referencing the open scientific literature and publicly available, well-documented scientific reports. In the process of conducting this review, scientific knowledge gaps have also been identified. This review focuses primarily on techniques that are commercially available and that could potentially be used in the large-scale decontamination of buildings and other structures, as well as outdoor environments. Since 2002, the body of scientific data related to decontamination and microbial sterilization has grown substantially, especially in terms of quantifying decontamination efficacy as a function of several factors. Specifically, progress has been made in understanding how decontaminant chemistry, the materials the microorganisms are associated with, environmental factors, and microbiological methods quantitatively impact spore inactivation. While advancement has been made in the past 15 years to further the state of the science in the inactivation of bacterial spores in a decontamination scenario, further research is warranted to close the scientific gaps that remain.
Topics: Bacillus anthracis; Decontamination; Hydrogen Peroxide; Spores, Bacterial
PubMed: 30901213
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05274 -
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises May 2017Organophosphorus coumpounds (OP) are toxic chemicals mainly used for agricultural purpose such as insecticides and were also developed and used as warfare nerve agents.... (Review)
Review
Organophosphorus coumpounds (OP) are toxic chemicals mainly used for agricultural purpose such as insecticides and were also developed and used as warfare nerve agents. OP are inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme involved in the regulation of the central nervous system. Chemical, physical and biological approaches have been considered to decontaminate OP. This review summarizes the current and emerging strategies that are investigated to tackle this issue with a special emphasis on enzymatic remediation methods. During the last decade, many studies have been dedicated to the development of biocatalysts for OP removal. Among these, recent reports have pointed out the promising enzyme SsoPox isolated from the archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus. Considering both its intrinsic stability and activity, this hyperthermostable enzyme is highly appealing for the decontamination of OP.
Topics: Animals; Chemical Warfare Agents; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Decontamination; Humans; Insecticides; Organophosphorus Compounds
PubMed: 28267954
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2017.01.004 -
Toxicology Letters Oct 2023Skin decontamination of Chemical Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) materials involves the timely and effective removal of the contaminants from the skin surface....
Skin decontamination of Chemical Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) materials involves the timely and effective removal of the contaminants from the skin surface. The current work evaluated Fuller's Earth & The Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion Kit (RSDL®) to investigate whether they were as efficacious against free base Carfentanil skin contamination as they are against chemical warfare agents. The in vitro methodology used allowed for evaluation of decontamination regimens as specified by the decontaminant manufacturer rather than as an application of a bolus dose left in situ for the study duration. A selection of novel decontaminants, including Dermal Decontamination Gel (DDGel), Trivorex®, itaconic acid (IA), N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), 2-trifluoromethylacrylic acid (TFMAA) and NanoSan Sorb were also tested for efficacy. All the evaluated decontaminants were successful at removing the majority of the Carfentanil skin surface contamination. The current work has shown that the Fuller's Earth decontamination kit, removes as much (or more) free base carfentanil from the skin surface in comparison to other products tested in this study series.
Topics: Skin Absorption; Decontamination; Skin; Chemical Warfare Agents
PubMed: 37806367
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.10.005