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Animal Health Diagnostic Center -
Emerging Issues
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Guidelines for Disinfection for Anthrax
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| This information is an excerpt from the disinfection
instructions currently viewable in section II.1.b of the document, Basic
Laboratory Protocols for the Presumptive Identification of Bacillus anthracis(PDF
document), from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. |
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"Commercially available household bleach solutions contain 5.25% hypochlorite
and, when diluted 1:10, are effective in routine decontamination of
surfaces and instruments after working with B. anthracis. Contaminated
items such as pipettes, needles, loops, and microscope slides should
be immersed in decontamination solution until autoclaving (note -
effective temperature for autoclaving according to Hagan and Brunner
is120° C for 20 minutes). Work surfaces, such as a biological safety
cabinet (BSC), should be wiped down before and after use with decontamination
solution." |
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"The method of decontamination of a spill depends upon the nature
of the spill. Spills involving fresh cultures or samples known to
have low concentrations of spores should be flooded with decontamination
solution and soaked for 5 min before cleanup. Spills that involve
samples with high concentrations of spores, involve organic matter,
or occur in areas of lower than room temperature (refrigerators, freezers)
should be exposed to decontamination solution for at least 1 h before
cleanup. Personnel involved in the cleanup of any spill should wear
gloves, safety glasses, and a laboratory coat or gown during the cleanup
process. Respiratory protection should be considered for spills in
which a substantial aerosolization is suspected." |
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