Of a Storm in a Teacup and a Gutter Heater—Practical Aspects of VHP Room Fumigation

Kümin, Daniel; Signer, Johanna; Portmann, Jasmine; Beuret, Christian

doi:10.1177/153567601502000305

Cited by 8 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In addition, several other parameters were monitored during the fumigation runs. As described in Kümin et al (2015), condensation in the supply lines could be prevented when surface temperatures of >40ºC at the end of the conditioning phase were reached. This was achieved in all runs with temperatures of 45ºC or higher (data not shown).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The IndicatorSafe—A Simple Tool to Confirm Successful Fumigation of a HEPA Filter Housing

Kümin¹,

Portmann

Signer

et al. 2015

Appl Biosaf.

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International standards as well as national regulations often require the incorporation of HEPA filters in the exhaust of BSL-3 (unless work with non-airborne organisms is performed-Swiss Containment Ordinance [Federal Council, 2012]) and certainly BSL-4 laboratories (single HEPA filter on supply and double HEPA filter on exhaust). These may need to be decontaminated from time to time, for example prior to filter integrity testing (protection of the testing equipment in case filters or seals are damaged and thus leaking) or when exchanging filters (bag-in/bag-out may offer an alternative or an additional safety measure, respectively). However, HEPA filter housings are not generally equipped with sample ports that allow for placement of indicators to confirm a successful fumigation process. Additionally, a site-specific risk assessment concluded that since the filter boxes are situated in an area deemed to remain non-contaminated at all times (HEPA filter floor above laboratory suites), indicators may not be placed inside the filter housings as opening them prior to fumigation would open containment and thus pose a threat to the people working on the filter boxes as well as to the environment. In this article the authors describe the use of the Indica-torSafe, a simple and cheap solution to the above-mentioned problem. Placing the IndicatorSafe in the return line following the filter housing was shown to be an efficient alternative when fumigating filter housings with vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), as shown during the validation of filter housing fumigation cycles, and may likely be adapted to other fumigation methods on the market.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fumigation of the HEPA filter housing was set up as described in Kümin et al (2015). The difference was that this time the IndicatorSafe was placed between the housing and the return hose ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Engineering Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

The IndicatorSafe—A Simple Tool to Confirm Successful Fumigation of a HEPA Filter Housing

Kümin¹,

Portmann

Signer

et al. 2015

Appl Biosaf.

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“…Additionally, it is very aggressive and is known to cause damage to a number of materials over time. 27 It is therefore desirable to prevent condensation. This may be achieved in different ways.…”

Section: Fumigant Supplymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This time span can be shortened while inhibiting condensation by insulating the ventilation ducts. Should this still not suffice, Kümin et al 27 described the use of a gutter heater to preheat the ventilation ducts in order to prevent condensation. These examples are costly, and it is thus desirable to find alternative solutions.…”

Section: Fumigant Supplymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, space may be tight in certain facilities, making it difficult or even impossible to cart the generator around a technical area. On the other hand, a centralized generator requires a further distribution system, 27 which will increase the overall length of the supply lines for the fumigant. Once again, these lines will have to be preheated to avoid hydrogen peroxide condensation, with the same challenges as described earlier for the ventilation ducts.…”

Section: Fumigant Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation, Part 1: Introduction to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation

et al. 2020

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Introduction: When working with pathogens in laboratories, animal or production facilities, and even hospitals, the potential need for room fumigation for decontamination purposes must be taken into consideration. Questions regarding the choice of fumigant, technical aspects of the room, its ventilation, the fumigation system to be used, and other issues will arise and will have to be addressed. Methods: This article is based on literature searches and was compiled using the authors’ long-time personal experience in room and filter fumigation using various fumigation systems. Results: The article can be used as a guide to establish an effective fumigation system in a laboratory or an animal facility setting and may be adapted for use in hospitals. Different systems for hydrogen peroxide fumigation on the market are presented. Also, technical aspects are discussed. Discussion: Hydrogen peroxide is used in various forms for fumigation of rooms, equipment, and filters. Regardless of the individual limitations of these forms, hydrogen peroxide is a versatile fumigation method. However, it is important to consider numerous technical requirements when planning to implement hydrogen peroxide fumigation at an institution. Conclusions: Subsequent to the present overview of different fumigation systems based on hydrogen peroxide on the market and their technical requirements, part 2 will focus on validation and verification of hydrogen peroxide fumigation while considering the entire fumigation process. The two parts together will serve users as a guide to establishing hydrogen peroxide fumigations at their facilities.

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation, Part 2: Verifying and Validating Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation Cycles

et al. 2021

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Introduction: Part 1 of this two-part series describes the use of hydrogen peroxide as a fumigant and compares it with other fumigants on the market. Technical requirements are outlined while considering physical and biological limitations of the system. This second part focuses primarily on the use of process controls to verify and validate hydrogen peroxide fumigations. Finally, a model encompassing the entire fumigation process is presented. Methods: Part 2 of the series focuses on the authors' long-time personal experiences in room and filter fumigation using various fumigation systems and is supplemented with relevant literature searches. Results: The reader is introduced to the planning and implementation of fumigation process validations. Biological indicators help users develop safe and efficient processes. Chemical indicators can be used as process controls, while measuring physical parameters will help avoid condensation of hydrogen peroxide. How many biological and chemical indicators and what type should be applied for cycle development are additionally explained. Discussion: It is important to consider numerous technical requirements when planning to implement hydrogen peroxide fumigation at an institution. Also, considerable thought needs to go into the verification and validation of the fumigation process. Conclusions: Part 1 of this series presents an overview of different fumigation systems based on hydrogen peroxide on the market and their technical requirements. Part 2 focuses on validation and verification of hydrogen peroxide fumigation while considering the entire fumigation process. The two parts together will serve users as a guide to establishing hydrogen peroxide fumigations at their facilities.

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Of a Storm in a Teacup and a Gutter Heater—Practical Aspects of VHP Room Fumigation

Abstract: Room fumigation has traditionally been performed using formaldehyde. However, recently new methods have been developed, including vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP)

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

The IndicatorSafe—A Simple Tool to Confirm Successful Fumigation of a HEPA Filter Housing

The IndicatorSafe—A Simple Tool to Confirm Successful Fumigation of a HEPA Filter Housing

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation, Part 1: Introduction to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation, Part 2: Verifying and Validating Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation Cycles

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