Unending – The Salmonella Outbreak!
No sign of Salmonella outbreak ending as U.S. patient count tops 1,000
What is in a biocide. Are they toxic? Is a disinfectant a biocide?
A biocide is intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a definition for biocides as “a diverse group of poisonous substances including preservatives, insecticides, disinfectants, and pesticides used for the control of organisms that are harmful to human or animal health or that cause damage to natural or manufactured products” (source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biocide).
We rely on biocides for many things. For example, we disinfect our hands at hospitals to avoid spreading bacteria, and we use mosquito repellents to avoid nasty bites.
Almost all of the biocidal active substances have a relative high toxicity, Although the definition of biocides is quite strict, today during the Covid period little distinction is made at the layman level for disinfectants that contain high does of alcohols and approved biocides. One must follow all chemical handling and use recommendations.
What’s in a biocide? (click here)
EPA Registered Hard Surface Disinfectants Comparison Chart
The concerns with biocides
Attention to workers’ and visitors’ exposure to chemicals in the product selections, particularly respiratory and dermal irritants or asthmagens, is an important consideration. “Cleaning and disinfecting are important parts of a comprehensive infection prevention strategy. While demand for more effective cleaning and disinfecting is growing, there is also increasing evidence that exposure to cleaning and disinfecting can result in acute and chronic health effects, particularly respiratory illness.“ (Quinn et al, 2015). The authors do suggest more research is needed on how to weigh the type of cleaner used with the potential for occupational exposure with the type of cleaning and disinfection that is appropriate for a given area (Bello et al, 2009; Quinn et al, 2015). Some ideas to reduce occupational exposure are modifications to cleaning schedules, appropriate product selection, and ventilation to reduce exposure. Use of personal protective equipment is also important (Weber et al, 2016). During those years steam sanitizers were not available. Now they are.
Steam is H2O (the gaseous form of water). SaniZap® units make steam. The exact biocide chemicals and concentrations vary depending on the region. Here is a site for Europe. Non EU countries may or may not be similar.
Weber, D. J., Consoli, S. A., & Rutala, W. A. (2016). Occupational health risks associated with the use of germicides in health care. American journal of infection control, 44(5), e85-e89.
Bello, A., Quinn, M. M., Perry, M. J., & Milton, D. K. (2009). Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks-a pilot study of hospital cleaners. Environmental Health, 8(1), 11.
Quinn, M. M., Henneberger, P. K., Braun, B., Delclos, G. L., Fagan, K., Huang, V., … & Maher, K. A. (2015). Cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces in health care: toward an integrated framework for infection and occupational illness prevention. American journal of infection control, 43(5), 424-434.
Quinn, P. J., Markey, B. K., Leonard, F. C., Fitzpatrick E. S., Fanning, S., Hartigan P. 2011. Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
Disinfecting aircraft requires a proper knowledge of the substances and techniques
Source: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/august/20/improper-disinfectant-appears-to-damage-two-skyhawks
Bayzi Corporation supports GA (general Aviation) aircraft users. If you think that the steam sanitation could work for you please contact us at Bayzi Corporation. We will be happy to arrange for a free one time Top-Off Sanitation for up to three GA small aircraft, per airport within 50 miles of our manufacturing plant (Cincinnati, OH), for all those who request it during September 2020.
This service is recommended by the GA pilot employees of Bayzi Corporation (Cincinnati USA).
Prior to making the request please familiarize yourselves with the information on Bayzi.com. The contact request is made here.*
Bayzi Corporation will provide a price reduction coupon to GA aircraft owners outside and in the Cincinnati area for the purchase of SaniZap® Units.
* The free top-off will be made only to non electrical, non avionics, non critical parts like the seats and carpets. Can be performed only under the supervision of the aircraft owner.
How does one measure the hygienic quality or cleanliness of a surface or object. What does clean mean.
Can we quantify cleanliness? What is ATP?
This is commonly measured by an ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) test-meter that measures RLU’s (Relative Light Units) from swabbed regions. The number and types of bacteria present on a surface is of concern for infection control, but bacterial tests are sometimes very specific and do not yield the overall hygienic condition or cleanliness of a surface. RLU measurements on the other hand are more appropriate to define general cleanliness. ATP is a molecule found in and around living cells, and as such it gives a direct measure of biological concentration and health. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule made up of an adenine ring, a ribose sugar, and most importantly 3 phosphates. In the most basic terms, this molecule is the body’s currency for all of its functions. Anything that the body does requires energy which all comes from ATP.The fats, carbs, and proteins that we eat are broken down and metabolized in order to replenish the used ATP in our bodies. One of the phosphates breaks off and releases a burst of energy. When this happens the molecule turns into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) because there is only 2 phosphates attached. Through a series of reactions another phosphate is attached and the molecule becomes ATP again. The ATP in our bodies are recycled after they produce energy.
ATP is quantified by measuring the light produced through its reaction with the naturally occurring enzyme luciferase using a luminometer. The amount of light produced is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present in a sample.
What Is CFU and what is RLU? In microbiology, a colony-forming unit (CFU) is used to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a sample. Colony-forming units are used to quantify results in many microbiological plating and counting methods. The CFU count is an estimate of the number of cells present, as the only cells able to form colonies are those that can grow under the conditions of the test. See comparisons in many textbooks or in articles like Antimicrobial and Anti-Corrosive Efficacy of Inorganic Nano Porous Surfaces, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policies (CTEP), 845–857 (2017).
RLU (Relative Light Units) is the unit for measuring the ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP has been found to be a sensitive indicator molecule for the presence of biological residues due to its universal presence in all living cells (microbes, animal and plant cells). When a test swab is activated, a bio-luminescent reaction occurs, generating light output. RLU measurements will vary for the type of meter. However, because the ATP bio-luminescence reaction is linear, the more ATP present, the higher the contamination- indicates poor hygiene and vice versa. The presence of ATP on the surface indicates that it has not been adequately cleaned. An increase in “dirt” (mostly biological residues) on a surface is displayed in an increase in the amount of ATP present on that surface. Thus ATP an effective marker for the assessment of the hygienic status of an environmental surface. RLU’s measure this ATP.
ATP tests (the RLU measurements) are not intended to replace microbial tests but there is often a direct correlation between the results of the two types of measurements when done concurrently.
It is a common mistake for users to expect a close agreement between RLU measurements when comparing different systems (different makes of RLU measurement meters). This is due to the differences in RLU sensitivity, scales and outputs and the inherent variation of this biological assay and variations from sample distribution and sample collection. Therefore the ATP hygiene test (RLU counts) should not be considered as a precision assay for bacterial counts. The ATP hygiene test application is a sensitive, direct, objective test of cleaning efficiency and risk. It is a quick risk analyzer that help you suspect if there is a need to do further laboratory tests for a more detailed test for bacteria and particular species of bacteria. Care should be taken when comparing the system performance from different instruments or suppliers. Comparisons ahould be made with the same test machines and conditions.
The RLU measurements are great to infer if the cleanliness quality of a test surface or object has changed or if a particular cleaning system has efficacy in improving cleanliness. It is not a quantitative test for bacterial counts as it indicates different information than a CFU count test does.
When using RLU it is common to define a threshold of cleanliness. This is subjective in the sense that it depends on the machine employed. In fact some studies show that there is poor correlation between active bacteria and ATP measurements. ( Colbert et. al. Healthcare Infection, 2015,20, 108–114 Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1071/HI15011), However this test is used often.
Here is a chart from A suggested sampling algorithm for use with ATP testing for cleanliness measurement (by G.S. Whiteley, T.O. Glasbey, P.P. Fahey, Volume 21, ISSUE 4, P169-175, December 01, 2016 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2016.11.003).
Suggested cleanliness thresholds and corresponding RLU for 3 ATP device brands.
| Cleanliness threshold | Hygiena Machine | Cleantrace Machine | Kikkoman Machine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cleanliness threshold | TC1 | 100 RLU | 500 RLU | 460 RLU |
| Secondary cleanliness threshold | TC2 | 50 RLU | 250 RLU | 230 RLU |
| Tertiary cleanliness threshold | TC3 | 25 RLU | 125 RLU | 115 RLU |
| Lower Limit of Quantitation | LLQ | 0 RLU | 100 RLU | 90 RLU |
Last Page Vol. 3A
Hazards of Bleach and Simple Cleaners. Did you know bacteria can survive and hitch rides in space? Did you know bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics?
This issue comes up often when comparing cleaning techniques. For example when comparing chemical use and duration to rapid clean steam.
Bleach often contains Sodium Hypochlorite — Sodium hypochlorite can cause severe eye irritation and if ingested can cause severe stomach irritation and sores. Sodium Hydroxide is also often used to stabilize household bleach. It is extremely caustic and can cause significant skin irritation if touched.
Other simple cleaners contains trace doses of 2-butoxyethanol — sustained inhalation of high concentrations (100-500 ppm) of this compound has been found to cause adrenal tumors in tested animals. Please consult toxicologists for a definitive analysis.
An non-intuitive feature of using chemicals over steam is noted in the energy usage. See for example (click).
Bacteria are becoming resistant to even powerful drugs like antibiotics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antibiotic-resistant_bacteria
How do bacteria become extremophiles in space.
A Ball of Bacteria Survived for 3 Years … in Space!
New research from the Japanese Tanpopo mission adds to scientists’ understanding of how living organisms can endure the hostile environment.
Read: https://apple.news/AxZnbdZKdRZOZJlF94O0qdA
- For COVID-19 and many other viruses one needs the surface to be in contact with a biocidal chemical for over 10 mins https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html# See also https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/foodnut/kitchen-sanitize.pdf See also https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/april/cleaning-against-covid See also https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/april/cleaning-against-covid
- Warning bells are sounding for the overuse of chemicals. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685540/ See also WHO says please do not spray disinfectants https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-05-16-20-intl/h_0f2325d2b58893ae656ac8e522afad79
- Protecting the environment from a new problem from harsh and greasy chemicals, is beginning to cause serious worries. https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-05-16-20-intl/h_0f2325d2b58893ae656ac8e522afad79