Environmental Control In Biological Production Rooms Utilizing Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP®) And Ultra-Violet Biodecontamination Applications

By STERIS Corporation

Cleaning and biodecontamination of production aseptic processing rooms has traditionally been performed using chemical disinfectants such as sodium hypochlorite and commercial detergents. In general, liquid disinfectants are not a completely thorough process and recontamination of microbials such as yeasts and molds are a continuing problem. Gaseous processes such as formaldehyde and chlorine dioxide prove to be labor intensive and produce significant health and safety concerns. The application of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) and Ultra-Violet (UV) processes has gained wide acceptance for cleanroom applications. Common outbreaks of microbial contaminants can be decontaminated* with the application of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide. In this case study, 2,000 cubic foot production rooms that are used for Bacillus spore processing in the production of Commercial Biological Indicators (BIs) are decontaminated using UV light sources and a VHP 1000ED Generator with specifically developed cycles for this application. The study objective is to determine and compare the efficacy of VHP and Ultra-Violet room biodecontamination applications effectiveness.

Room Specifications
The room volume for this testing study was 2,000 cubic feet. Two oscillating fans were dispersed randomly to aid in vapor distribution during test cycles. Vent airflow was turned off during the test cycles to maintain vapor concentrations throughout the test area. Vents were sealed to prevent gas going into the ventilation system. Electrical equipment normally found in the rooms, such as centrifuges, vortex mixers, and laminar flow hoods, were left in the room during testing.