Decontamination

Paraformaldehyde Decontamination

ENV follows industry standards and practices in using paraformaldehyde to decontaminate spaces and equipment that are microbiologically contaminated. We perform decontaminations to assure the safety of ENV and client personnel and the environment when maintenance of contamination control equipment requires accessing a contaminated area.

ENV has been performing equipment and space decontaminations for over 30 years and has decontaminated facilities as large as 150,000 cubic feet in volume.

ENV has the following policy for determining when paraformaldehyde decontamination is required:

Paraformaldehyde decontamination is required before working on any unit where biologically active agents susceptible to formaldehyde have been used and the work requires access to the filter chamber or contaminated plenum, or pressurizing a contaminated plenum that could leak to the exterior of the cabinet.

Paraformaldehyde decontamination is also required for these agents if a massive spill has occurred, if the agent requires BSL-3 or BSL-4 containment, or if the agent requires BSL-2 containment and is used in non-diagnostic work (i.e., in large quantities).

ENV utilizes two different methods of neutralizing formaldehyde. Our standard practice for neutralizing Class IIA biological safety cabinets is to use ammonium carbonate, however, when requested ENV will utilize a potassium permanganate filter over the cabinet's exhaust filter. This process minimizes unpleasant odors and cabinet clean-up requirements. When neutralizing Class IIB biological safety cabinets and large spaces, we follow the industry standard practice of utilizing ammonium carbonate.