1. The role of Disinfection/Sanitization/Sterilization in the Laboratory Animal Facility
By Belinda Buehl
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2. Why is it important? Integrity of the research project Colony health
Employee health
Required by rules and regs from AALAS and “The Guide”
Reduces biohazards

3. What is the difference?
Disinfection: Reduction of the # of pathogenic microorganisms on an object to harmless levels.
Sanitization: Reduction of the # of microorganisms on a object to a level acceptable for public health standards.
Sterilization: Destruction of all organisms on an object.
-cidal: kills
-static: inhibits

4. Methods you might use Autoclave Gas sterilization Chemical Radiation
Other

5. Autoclave Uses steam under pressure
Length of time dependent on # of items sterilized, minimum is °F(121°C) at 15 psi
Large and small models available depending on use

6. Positives and Negatives of Autoclaving
Inexpensive
Reliable
No use of toxic chemicals
Negatives
Can be corrosive
Many objects cannot withstand autoclaving
Use of high temperatures and pressure can be dangerous
Items must be wrapped in appropriate materials and the autoclave must not be overloaded or steam won’t penetrate objects

7. Gas Sterilization Uses ETO (Ethylene oxide gas)
Kills all known viruses, bacteria, & fungi (even bacterial spores)

8. Positives and Negatives of ETO Gas Sterilization
Good for instruments that cannot be steam sterilized
Effective against bacterial spores
Negatives
Special equipment is required
Gas is colorless, toxic, and very flammable
Materials to be sterilized must be dry, and well aerated once sterilization is done
Explosive!

9. Chemical Sterilization
Most commonly used for surgical instruments
Cidex (glutaraldehyde) is most common
Requires 3 hours or more of exposure time
Bactericidal, fungicidal, viricidal, and sporicidal
Can be used for other surfaces

10. Formalin/Formaldehyde
Often used to sterilize rooms
Used in a “bomb” form: formalin soln or crystals are heated & allowed to dissipate throughout the room
Toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive: i.e. DANGEROUS
Rooms must be free of any metal material or organic debris
Rooms must also be sealed completely and not entered for at least 24 hours.
Limited penetrability

11. Chemicals for disinfection
Phenols
Alcohols
Halides
Aldehydes

12. Phenols 1st used in clinical practice
Phenol itself is corrosive and toxic
Chlorhexidine is a phenol derivative common in the lab animal field
Can be used as a skin disinfectant

13. Alcohols Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol
Works by dehydrating cells, coagulating proteins, and disrupting cell membranes
70% aqueous solution is more effective than full strength

14. Halides Chlorine and Iodine Powerful oxidising agents
Rapidly become inactive in the presence of organic material
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and Povidone iodine are common preparations

15. Aldehydes Denature proteins
Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde (also used for sterilization)
Become inactivated in the presence of organic matter

16. Methods of disinfection, etc used by the lab animal tech
All of the above mentioned could be a method used
There are many methods to prevent spread of disease such as:
Disinfecting foot baths
Dedicated mops, brooms, buckets to animal rooms
Following strict guidelines on how often rooms, cages, etc are to be cleaned
Wash hands often!!!!

17. Personal Protective Equipment
Very important to think about when using the methods described
Some forms of PPE would be heatproof mitts, masks, goggles, gloves, rubber boots, coveralls, face shields, respirators, and more

18. Guidelines
Always follow guidelines on the instruments or chemical containers
Know where the MSDS sheets are located (Material Safety Data Sheets)
Never dilute chemicals more than required as they may not be as effective
Likewise, don’t use a soln. that is too concentrated, it could be harmful to you and the animals
Follow the rules set forth by The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and by AALAS.
Have SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) written up and located in binders for reference.
If you have questions, ASK!!!!!!!

19. Where could you work as a Lab Animal Tech?
You’d be surprised!
University campuses
Pharmaceutical companies
Wildlife facilities
Governmental agencies (state and federal)
Private corporations
Pet food companies
And many more!!!

20. A little about me BS in Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology
Associate Degree as a Veterinary Technician and Laboratory Animal Technician
Worked at the following facilities:
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Dane County Humane Society
DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management
National Wildlife Health Center
Deer-Grove Veterinary Clinic
MATC
Covance
UW Madison – Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital

21. Animals I have worked with as a Lab Animal Tech

22. Any Questions????