Incubator cleaning - what chemical (Sep/02/2008 )
QUOTE (wuxx0153 @ Sep 4 2008, 10:23 AM)
QUOTE (Curtis @ Sep 4 2008, 05:58 AM)
Do you have any filter on the way from the CO2 cylinder to the incubator?
For clean incubator with it hypochloride, what is the concentration should be?
What technique we should pay attention to to avoid future problem?
do not use bleach!
-Curtis-
QUOTE (Curtis @ Sep 5 2008, 04:02 AM)
QUOTE (wuxx0153 @ Sep 4 2008, 10:23 AM)
QUOTE (Curtis @ Sep 4 2008, 05:58 AM)
Do you have any filter on the way from the CO2 cylinder to the incubator?
For clean incubator with it hypochloride, what is the concentration should be?
What technique we should pay attention to to avoid future problem?
do not use bleach!
Dear All,
This has been a big problem over the 30 years I have been using CO2 Incubators. These are the facts:
The Incubator is contaminated by the END USER.
Once contaminated the only way to truly decontaminate is to bomb it with Formaldehyde.
Even new incubators with decontamination cycles will not get rid of fungal spores, you need temperature as well as PRESSURE to do that.
Even if you bomb the incubator, it will get contaminated again BY THE END USER(S) IF THEY DO NOT IMPROVE THEIR TECHNIQUE.
YES you should always filter CO2 coming into the incubator.
NEVER USE HYPOCHLORITE IN A CO2 INCUBATOR.
Try and use filtered topped flask for growing your cells. DISHES PROVIDE NO BARRIER AT ALL.
SPRAY YOUR FLASKS/DISHES IN AND OUT OF THE INCUBATOR with 70% IMS.
Buy Incubators with a decontamination cycle...it's better than nothing
Clean the Incubtaor with Virkon and then wash off with 70% IMS....REMEMBER TO COVER IR SENSORS and any other delicate probes within the incubator first.
EVERYONE has to take responsibility in running a communal TC facility. Get a rota together and split the jobs between the end users. ONE PERSON HAS TO CHASE PEOPLE if jobs are not done. Jobs to be assigned:
Make up Virkon/IMS Solutions
Change waterbath water weekly
Change CO2 Incubator water weekly.
Clean cabinets weekly
Clean floor weekly
FYRITE INCUBATORS WEEKLY
Clear contaminated liquid waste ever 24 hours.
Fill TC room with product (Daily)
Hope you find this useful
Rhombus
-Rhombus-
Thanks for great suggestions. Looks like there is a lot we need to fellow up.
However, currently we are more worry about the clean up after we screw up.
Any suggestion on that please.
Another question on FBS.
We have a test incubate a pure serum (just incubate and watch twice a day) in the incubator (the one we THINK is clean).
After 4 days, we found trace of a trace of contamination.
Is that mean our clean incubator also screw up?
Or the contamination problem come from FBS?
-wuxx0153-
I think the contamination is due to the incubator... not the FBS.
If the FBS was contaminated before placing it inside the incubator, tbe contaminant would have grown within 1 days.
-Minnie Mouse-