Disease outbreaks and infections put your staff, your animals and your research at risk.
Working with laboratory animals that are free from unwanted microorganisms is an important prerequisite for achieving reliable and reproducible results. That’s why it’s critical for your facility to be clean and disinfected. Cleaning involves removing visible dirt and debris, and it’s important because you need a clean surface in order to disinfect.
Disinfectants—which kill microscopic organisms—are a vital line of defense against pathogens wanting to wage war on your facility. But how do you choose the right disinfectant to achieve laboratory compliance?
There are many disinfectant actives, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, chlorine dioxide is a broad-spectrum disinfectant. But, it is corrosive to surfaces, does not have cleaning abilities and can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Meanwhile, quats are relatively safe to use, but require a contact time of up to 10 minutes and may not kill hardier pathogens.
Here are the key criteria to look for in a disinfectant:
- Broad spectrum efficacy: Can the product kill a broad spectrum of pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses?
- Short contact time: For disinfectants to be effective, they must remain wet on the surface for their entire contact time. Look for products with a short contact time, since products with long contact times, like quat alcohols, can evaporate before disinfection is achieved, requiring reapplication.
- Powerful cleaner: Proper cleaning is required to remove soils and debris before disinfection can occur. Some disinfectants, such as chlorine dioxide, do not contain detergents, so they cannot effectively clean surfaces. You need to use an additional product for the pre-clean step. To consolidate your protocols and achieve disinfection, find a one-step cleaner disinfectant to do both jobs for you.
- Safe to use: Some disinfectants can cause skin irritation, respiratory irritation and pose occupational health and safety concerns. You want a product that is safe for your staff, animals and equipment. A safe product increases compliance because your staff isn’t afraid to use it!
- Simple to use: The truth is, if it’s not easy to use, it doesn’t matter if it’s the best disinfectant on the market. If people don’t like it, they won’t use it, and you won’t be in compliance. Consider the hassle of chlorine dioxide, for example. It requires multi-part mixing, activation and deactivation steps. Instead, simplify your process. Use a wipe, ready-to-use liquid or easy to dilute concentrate to improve your team’s compliance.
An excellent option is a one-step cleaner disinfectant powered by Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP®). AHP® is a patented technology that’s safe for animals, people and the planet. It kills a broad spectrum of pathogens. Plus, it’s simple to use. It cleans and disinfects is as little as one minute of contact time.
Because it’s safe, effective and easy to use, AHP® helps ensure maximum compliance. Your research results will be more accurate and reliable, and your staff will thank you!