CD Gas Decontamination: A Residue-Free Process

ClorDiSys Solutions’ chlorine dioxide gas is one of the most gentle decontaminating agents available. Our proprietary method of generation produces a dry, 100% pure chlorine dioxide gas which leaves no residue after treatment. There is no need to rinse, wipe, or clean surfaces afterward. One of the first commercial uses for this method of chlorine dioxide gas was the sterilization of implantable contact lenses. In order for the process to be approved by the FDA, it had to be proven that pure chlorine dioxide gas left behind no measurable residue.

The myth that chlorine dioxide leaves a residue is one that originates from the generalization of all chlorine dioxide products. Other methods of generating chlorine dioxide gas are not as pure, generating the gas using liquids. This method introduces acidic byproducts into the area which can cause corrosion and leave residues. These residues require a post-treatment rinse. After a decontamination is completed and our CD gas has been removed, the area is safe and does not require additional cleanup.

Visit our company's exhibit at one of these upcoming events to learn more:

April 10-11, 2018 IDFA Ice Cream Technology Conference

April 13, 2018 Southern Biosafety Association Spring 2018 Symposium

April 15-18, 2018 CETA Annual Meeting and Tradeshow

April 24, 2018 PDA Metro Chapter Day

April 25-26, 2018 17th Annual QUAD AALAS Symposium

An Effective Decontamination Requires Excellent Distribution

Chlorine dioxide is a sterilant that is a true gas at room temperatures, meaning it naturally distributes uniformly and completely within the space being decontaminated. It distributes the same way that oxygen does in a room, with the level of oxygen being the same throughout. This level of distribution is excellent when compared to vapor phase hydrogen peroxide, mists or fogs. 

Chlorine Dioxide Gas: Example of Even Distribution & Penetration vs. Thermal Image of a Vapor Phase Hydrogen Peroxide Cycle: Example of Poor Distribution

Hydrogen peroxide has been labeled as a “lazy gas” which doesn’t distribute readily. VPHP will start condensing back to the liquid state upon exiting the generator, and it is distributed throughout the chamber/room through line of sight injection. The vapor can be blocked by objects in its way, leaving the surfaces behind or underneath uncontacted or under-contacted. As such, the back side, underside, and internal portions of components may not be contacted by VPHP for a long enough period of time, at the proper concentration, to achieve the correct level of kill. If the decontaminating agent cannot reach ALL of the dangerous organisms in a critical environment, such as a BSL-3/4 facility, at the proper concentration, for the prescribed amount of time, then a complete decontamination will not occur and worker safety is compromised.

Learn more about the process and benefits of chlorine dioxide gas on April 10^th at our CD 101 webinar or attend one of our upcoming workshops. Click here to see when we will be in your area!

Stethoscope Disinfection

Next week, we will be in New Orleans attending the AORN Expo 2018! We hope to see everyone there and work together to prevent infections within the healthcare industry. 

As mentioned in the Fall 2017 issue of Healthcare Environmental Solutions News, stethoscope cleaning has a compliance rate near 0%. Frightening! More specifically, after a one second long use, contamination rates equalize to that of the physician's hand. With HAI's of utmost concern, every source of possible infection must be addressed. Stethoscopes have been known to host potentially pathogenic organisms including, but not limited to, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and Clostridium difficile (C. diff).

A solution that is quick and easy is the Flashbox-mini, a tabletop UV-C chamber disinfecting at a 99% kill rate of harmful organisms in mere minutes. UV-C provides a dry, chemical-free, and residue-free method of disinfection effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. When micro-organisms are exposed to UV-C, the nuclei of the cells alter due to photolytic processes, preventing further replication, and causing cell death. The Flashbox-mini is a simple resolution to the complexity of HAI's and patient well-being.

Visit ClorDiSys Solutions at Booth #2018 at the AORN Expo March 25-27th! In the meantime, click here to learn more about ultraviolet light disinfection.

Best Method to Disinfect Phones as Rated by MIT

Cell phones are in everyone’s hands, all day long. Our hands come in contact with many not so pleasant things, with harmful germs and organisms being of particular concern.  To try to mitigate any risks, MIT decided to determine how best to actually clean cell phones.  Researchers tested wipes, sprays, and ultraviolet light disinfection systems, namely the Flashbox-mini and PhoneSoap.  After various studies, they crowned the most effective to be ClorDiSys' Flashbox-mini.  We are proud to hold the title and thrilled that our company's device is able to provide a fast, easy, and chemical free method to disinfect our much-used and much-loved phones. Click here to read the full article!

Ultraviolet light disinfection works by utilizing the UV-C spectrum; the killing range of the ultraviolet spectrum.  When light is emitted onto the surface, the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and spores is altered to prevent replication and causes cell death. To use the Flashbox-mini, simply place a phone, or any other item, onto the high-quality quartz glass shelf, close the door, turn on the timer, and watch the glow.  After just 1 minute, 99% or higher of harmful organisms will be gone.

Click here to learn more about the Flashbox-mini. 

The role of humidity in decontamination

Elevating the relative humidity within the environment being decontaminated has been shown to be important when targeting sporicidal reduction.  Spores are hard-shelled, and the elevated humidity levels cause the spore walls to swell and crack.  This allows the sterilant to penetrate the spore wall much quicker and easier, providing faster kill times for the decontamination process.

This has been demonstrated through the use of chlorine dioxide gas.  Biological Indicators, consisting of over a million geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, were subjected to chlorine dioxide gas cycles at varying relative humidity levels and exposure dosages. Results are shown below, with greater dosages required at dryer conditions.