Decontamination
of Work Surfaces
Since environmental contamination is an effective method of disease transmission for HBV (the CDC states that HBV can survive for at least one week in dried blood on environmental surfaces or contaminated needles and instruments), cleaning of contaminated work surfaces after completion of procedures is required to ensure that employees are not unwittingly exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material remaining on a surface from previous procedures.
Contaminated work surfaces must be
decontaminated with an "appropriate disinfectant." Appropriate disinfectants
include a 1:10 diluted bleach solution, EPA-registered tuberculocides (List B),
sterilants (List A), or products registered against HIV/HBV (Lists C and D).
The National Antimicrobial Information Network provides an online list
http://ace.orst.edu/info/nain/lists.htm.
Important
Guidelines:
1.
Check the product label for EPA registration and/or
consult the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists of registered sterilants
(representing the highest level of antimicrobial activity that destroys all
viruses), tuberculocidal disinfectants (effective against tuberculosis bacteria
and the specific viruses named on the product label as well as the hepatitis B
virus), and antimicrobials with HIV/HBV efficacy claims for verification that
the disinfectant used is appropriate.
2.
Follow the label instructions regarding the amount
of disinfectant and the length of time it must remain wet on the surface.
3.
Bleach:
A. A solution of 1:10 diluted household bleach (5.25%
sodium hypochlorite) made up monthly (every 30 days) is considered appropriate for
decontamination of sites following initial
cleanup (i.e., wiping up) of spills of blood or other potentially infectious
materials.
B. Contact time for bleach is generally considered to
be twenty minutes or the time it takes the product to air dry.
C. Solutions of bleach should not be stored in glass
containers, but in material such as the plastic in which the bleach, the
consumer product, is packaged in.
Your help in improving safety at the University is
appreciated!
Safety Alert # 9904
Safety Alert Archive