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PubMed2006

A practical demonstration of water disinfection using TiO2 films and sunlight.

The scope of this study is the assessment of the efficiency of solar disinfection by heterogeneous photocatalysis with sol-gel immobilized (titanium dioxide) TiO2 films over glass cylinders. The solar disinfection process known as SODIS was considered as a reference. Spring water naturally polluted with coliform bacteria was exposed to sunlight in plastic bottles with and without TiO2 over simple solar collectors and the disinfection effectiveness was measured. Total and fecal coliforms quantification was performed by means of the chromogenic substrate method in order to obtain the efficiency of each disinfection treatment. The disinfection with TiO2 was more efficient than the SODIS process, inactivating total coliforms as well as fecal coliforms. On a sunny day (more than 1000 W m(-2) irradiance), it took the disinfection with immobilized TiO2 15 min of irradiation to inactivate the fecal coliforms to make them undetectable. For inactivation of total coliforms, 30 min was required, so that in less than half the time it takes SODIS, the treated water complies with the microbial standards for drinking water in Mexico. Another important part of this study has been to determine the bacterial regrowth in water after the disinfection processes were tested. After SODIS, bacterial regrowth of coliforms was observed. In contrast, when using the TiO2 catalyst, coliforms regrowth was not detected, neither for total nor for fecal coliforms. The disinfection process using TiO2 kept treated water free of coliforms at least for seven days after sun irradiation. This demonstration opens the possibility of application of this simple method in rural areas of developing countries.

Disinfection↗
PubMed1997

Accuracy of polyether and addition silicone after long-term immersion disinfection.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Some studies have demonstrated that short-term immersion disinfection does not affect the accuracy of polyether or addition silicone materials. Impressions are often disinfected for longer than recommended time periods. PURPOSE: This study evaluated these materials after simulating overnight disinfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Impressions were made of a master model with Extrude Extra material with Extrude Wash addition silicone and Impregum F material in combination with Permadyne Garant polyether material. Nondisinfected impressions served as controls, whereas the disinfected samples were immersed for 18 hours in a full strength 2% acid glutaraldehyde solution. Anteroposterior and cross arch dimensions of the working cast and occlusogingival, mesiodistal, and buccolingual dimensions of working die were assessed. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance at "alpha" = 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for anteroposterior and cross arch dimension when compared with the master model. However, significant differences were found for occlusogingival dimension at 18 hours of disinfection for both materials. The addition silicone 18-hour disinfection group was significantly less accurate in the mesiodistal dimension. CONCLUSION: Accuracy of both impression materials was adversely affected with 18 hours of immersion disinfection. Long-term (18 hours) immersion disinfection will affect the fit of fixed partial prostheses.

Dental Impression Materials↗
PubMed1997

Effects of chemical disinfectants on the surface characteristics and color of denture resins.

PURPOSE: Because dentures are disinfected repeatedly and for various amounts of time, it was of clinical interest to determine whether chemical disinfectants altered the surface texture or inherent color. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five chemical disinfectants (Clorox, Banicide, Cidex-7, Biocide, and Multicide) in combination with five denture resins (Dentsply reline material, Hygenic HyFlo, Hygenic Perm, Lucitone 199, and Triad VLC reline resin) were evaluated at four different times of immersion (10 minutes, 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 7 days). Changes from baseline for surface roughness and color were recorded. Surface roughness data were recorded with a surface analyzer. Color data in CIE L*a*b* color space were measured with a colorimeter. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance and single-factor analysis of variance. RESULTS: Although statistical differences were demonstrated among disinfectants and resins for both measured parameters, the magnitudes of change in color and roughness was most often clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: One disinfectant (Multicide) cannot be used on all five resins, and the remaining four disinfectants can be used on any of the five resins for up to a period of 30 minutes. All resins tested can be immersed in the four remaining disinfectants for up to 30 minutes without appreciable alteration to surface texture or color. Lucitone 199 resin can be immersed in any of the four disinfectants for up to 7 days without perceivable color change.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1997

Mercury emissions from dental chairs by disinfection.

Dental aspirator kits are equipped with amalgam separators, which eliminate the particulate matter from the effluent. When the aspirator kits are disinfected, the disinfectant solution is in contact with the separated amalgams over night and over the weekend. Oxidizing components of the disinfectants dissolve mercury from the separated amalgam. The dissolved mercury is released into the environment along with the effluent on the beginning of the following workday. The degree of mercury remobilization depends on the amount and oxidizing power of the disinfectant components. The mercury concentrations measured in the effluent of the aspirator kits after the application of seven different disinfectants were 18.4 micrograms/l-1396 micrograms/l. The emission of mercury by dental aspirator kits is lowered substantially by using disinfectants which contain no oxidizing substances. Disinfecting of dental aspirator kits for hygienic reasons is not necessary. Therefore we propose only cleaning rather than disinfecting dental aspirator kits.

Dental Amalgam↗
PubMed2001

How to improve instrument disinfection by ultrasound.

Ultrasound technologies have a wide range of hospital and dental applications which include cleaning and disinfection of surgical and dental instruments. We measured the germicidal efficacy of sonication, with or without chemical disinfectants, in an ultrasonic bath delivering a frequency of 35 kHz and an intensity of 0.66 W/cm2. Cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were exposed to ultrasound and to an amine-based disinfectant in non-bactericidal concentrations. Ultrasonication for 60 min alone did not cause a significant killing of the bacteria and yeast. However, we were able to show that sonication can act as a powerful synergistic agent to increase the cidal efficacy of the disinfectant against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. C. albicans was more resistant to the combination of ultrasound and chemical disinfection. The key role in the action of ultrasound in cleaning of instruments and perhaps in enhanced disinfection is played by cavitation phenomena. The distribution of cavitations in an ultrasonic bath is not homogenous. We found a similar synergistic effect of ultrasound and disinfectant in positions with low cavitation. The synergistic effect was not reduced inside rubber tubes. Before ultrasound can be accepted as an integral part of the cleaning and disinfection process of medical instruments, the influence of intensity and frequency of sonication and the effects of cavitation must be clarified.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed2003

Suitability of Sterillium Gel for surgical hand disinfection.

In some countries, alcohol-based hand gels are used for hygienic hand disinfection but their efficacy and suitability for surgical hand disinfection has never been investigated. The efficacy of Sterillium Gel was investigated according to prEN 12791 in two separate experiments. Finger tips of 20 volunteers per experiment were sampled for resident skin bacteria before surgical hand disinfection. In a cross-over design, each volunteer carried out a surgical hand disinfection with the reference alcohol [n-propanol 60%, (v/v)] or Sterillium Gel [ethanol 85% (v/v)] for 3 min. After the product application, one hand was sampled for the immediate effect, the other hand was gloved for 3 h and then sampled for the sustained effect. Samples were analysed for remaining resident bacteria. The mean of the pre-value, the 0 h and 3 h values of the reference disinfection and the test product were calculated. With the reference alcohol, respective mean immediate log10-reduction factors of 2.06+/-0.76 and 2.23+/-1.13 were found in both experiments. The mean sustained effects with the reference alcohol were 2.03+/-1.14 and 1.44+/-0.81. Sterillium Gel achieved respective mean immediate effects of 2.48+/-1.06 and 2.13+/-0.81, the mean sustained effects were 2.77+/-0.95 and 2.18+/-0.72. They proved significantly larger than those obtained with the reference alcohol (P<0.05; pair-wise Wilcoxon test). Sterillium Gel, therefore, more than fulfils the efficacy requirements for surgical hand disinfection of prEN 12791. In addition, 25 of 26 operating theatre healthcare workers in an orthopaedic hospital found it suitable for surgical hand disinfection after a single use, which included putting on a pair of surgical gloves. Although none of them had ever used an alcohol-based gel before, they had rather been accustomed to alcohol-based liquid products for years. The main reasons given for the positive assessment were better skin feeling after use, smell and easier donning of the surgical gloves. No significant correlation was found between overall or dermal acceptance and years of professional experience, profession or number of gel portions used for surgical hand disinfection (Pearson's correlation; P>0.05).

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1996

Establishment of an in-use testing method for evaluating disinfection of surgical instruments using the duck hepatitis B model.

Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV), associated with interventional procedures, has been attributed to its survival on improperly decontaminated instruments. To date, guidelines for chemical disinfection of potentially contaminated heat-sensitive instruments have been based largely on extrapolation of data from in-vitro disinfectant testing. Direct infectivity testing has not been possible for HBV because of the lack of a practical culture assay or susceptible experimental animal model. In this study the related duck hepadnavirus was used to simulate in-vivo transmission of a HBV during surgery, and to evaluate the effectiveness of 2% glutaraldehyde disinfection of surgical laparoscopes. Multiple laparoscopic liver biopsies were performed on 'biohazardous' duck hepatitis B (DHBV) positive ducks. Laparoscopes were then subjected to different disinfection regimes using 2% glutaraldehyde, and residual infectivity tested by placing their tips into the peritoneal cavities of uninfected four-day-old ducklings. Direct transmission of DHBV occurred in all ducks when laparoscopes were not washed. Rinsing with water lowered the transmission rate to 64% and no infection transmission occurred after 5 min of contact time with the disinfectant. In contrast, previous in-vitro studies had shown complete viral inactivation after a shorter period of disinfection. It is postulated that the longer inactivation time observed in our study may be a result of surface interactions of virus and instrument, interfering with disinfectant access or activity. Tests of instrument surface samples for viral DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) did not correlate with transmission of virus infection in vivo. PCR is an inappropriate test for evaluating the efficacy of disinfectant action despite its sensitivity. This in use method will allow testing of other decontamination procedures and their effectiveness on more complex surgical instruments.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Significant factors in the disinfection and sterilization of flexible endoscopes.

BACKGROUND: Many nosocomial infection outbreaks have been linked to improper disinfection of the flexible endoscopes used in hospitals and clinics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of scope disinfection with glutaraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide in manual and mechanical protocols. METHODS: Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas cepacia were the test organisms. Each channel in two different endoscopes was seeded and evaluated separately. Residual chemical germicide levels in the channels and in the work environment were also measured. RESULTS: Parametric analyses were carried out on log transformations of number of colony-forming units recovered. Repeated measures analysis demonstrated that both the type of disinfectant and the method of washing were significant factors for disinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen peroxide proved to be more efficacious than glutaraldehyde for killing or removing B. subtilis in a 10-minute contact period. Automatic disinfection was more efficacious than manual disinfection for killing or removing B. subtilis in a 10-minute contact period. The channel being disinfected also proved to be a significant factor, with carbon dioxide and elevator channels the most difficult to disinfect consistently.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed2001

Role of disinfectant concentration and pH in the inactivation kinetics of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with ozone and monochloramine.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of disinfectant concentration and pH on the inactivation kinetics of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with ozone, monochloramine, and ozone/monochloramine at 20 degrees C. Experimental results revealed that the CT (product of disinfectant concentration and contact time) required to achieve a certain level of C. parvum inactivation was unique, thus demonstrating the validity of the CT concept for these single disinfectant and sequential disinfection processes for the range of experimental conditions investigated. Inactivation curves were represented accurately by a delayed Chick-Watson expression consistent with the CT concept. No pH dependence was observed for primary inactivation with ozone in the pH range of 6-10 or primary and secondary inactivation with monochloramine at pH values of 8 and 10. Oocyst resistance to chemical disinfectant attack was found to vary among oocysts lots as well as with oocyst aging within a given lot. The synergy observed for sequential disinfection with ozone/monochloramine suggested that monochloramine might be reacting with some of the same chemical constituents, both vital and nonvital, of the oocyst wall and/or cavity that also react with ozone. If so, partial completion of these reactions by the primary disinfectant would have resulted in the disappearance of the lag phase and the faster rate of inactivation observed for the secondary disinfectant.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Peracetic acid as an alternative wastewater disinfectant to chlorine dioxide.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of peracetic acid with that of chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of wastewater from a sewage treatment plant (serving about 650 000 inhabitants) that has been using peracetic acid as a disinfectant since 1998. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 23 samplings were made, each consisting of three samples: from secondary effluent, effluent disinfected with 2 mg l(-1) of peracetic acid and effluent disinfected with 2.2 mg l(-1) of chlorine dioxide (contact time 20 min). For each sample, measurements were made of the heterotrophic plate count at 36 degrees C, total and faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, pH, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD). During the first phase of the experiment the peracetic acid was seen to be less efficient than chlorine dioxide. To improve the disinfectant action a system of mechanical agitation was added which led to a greater efficiency in the inactivation of bacteria of faecal origin. CONCLUSIONS: Both products were found to be influenced by the level of microbial contamination, the amount of suspended solids and COD but not by the pH of the effluent before disinfection. The immediate mixing of the wastewater and disinfectant caused a greater reduction in enterococci. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Since peracetic acid was seen to produce a high abatement of micro-organisms, it can be considered as a valid alternative to chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of wastewaters.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2006

Bacterial contamination of keyboards: efficacy and functional impact of disinfectants.

BACKGROUND: Computers are ubiquitous in the healthcare setting and have been shown to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms. This study was performed to determine the degree of microbial contamination, the efficacy of different disinfectants, and the cosmetic and functional effects of the disinfectants on the computer keyboards. METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of 6 different disinfectants (1 each containing chlorine, alcohol, or phenol and 3 containing quaternary ammonium) against 3 test organisms (oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [ORSA], Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species) inoculated onto study computer keyboards. We also assessed the computer keyboards for functional and cosmetic damage after disinfectant use. RESULTS: Potential pathogens cultured from more than 50% of the computers included coagulase-negative staphylococci (100% of keyboards), diphtheroids (80%), Micrococcus species (72%), and Bacillus species (64%). Other pathogens cultured included ORSA (4% of keyboards), OSSA (4%), vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus species (12%), and nonfermentative gram-negative rods (36%). All disinfectants, as well as the sterile water control, were effective at removing or inactivating more than 95% of the test bacteria. No functional or cosmetic damage to the computer keyboards was observed after 300 disinfection cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that microbial contamination of keyboards is prevalent and that keyboards may be successfully decontaminated with disinfectants. Keyboards should be disinfected daily or when visibly soiled or if they become contaminated with blood.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed1993

Inactivation of Clostridium difficile spores by disinfectants.

OBJECTIVE: The current study was designed to evaluate the activity of glutaraldehyde-based disinfectants against Clostridium difficile using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists' (AOAC) sporicidal test. This study was undertaken because gastrointestinal endoscopes that may be contaminated with C difficile spores are most commonly disinfected between patients using glutaraldehyde-based disinfectants. DESIGN: Using the AOAC test, the following disinfectants were tested: 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde, 2% acid glutaraldehyde, a 1:16 dilution of a 2% glutaraldehyde-7.05% phenol-1.20% sodium phenate, and a 1:20 dilution of a 10% glutaraldehyde-0.5% phenylphenol-0.1% amylphenol. RESULTS: Test results of the four disinfectants against C difficile spores at exposure times of 10, 20, and 60 minutes were as follows (number of positive penicylinders per 30 replicates): 0, 0, and 0 for 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde; 6, 3, and 0 for 2% acid glutaraldehyde; 30, 29, and 30 for a 1:16 dilution of glutaraldehyde-7.05% phenol-1.20% sodium phenate; and 30, 30, and 30 for a 1:20 dilution of glutaraldehyde-0.5% phenylphenol-0.1% amylphenol. CONCLUSIONS: C difficile spores are more susceptible to inactivation by glutaraldehyde-based disinfectants than the spore-forming organisms recommended in the AOAC sporicidal test (i.e., Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium sporogenes). Diluting glutaraldehyde-based disinfectants below 2% led to the inability to inactivate spores of C difficile using exposure times commonly employed to disinfect semicritical items such as gastrointestinal endoscopes.

Clostridioides difficile↗
PubMed2000

Cytotoxicity of liquid disinfectants.

This study was prompted by toxic responses to disinfecting agents reported in patients after surgical procedures and in sensitized health care personnel. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of seven substances used in the formulation of common liquid chemical disinfectants and sterilants. We found that a standard method based on direct microscopic examination of cell cultures was insensitive and may result in an underestimation of the risk that disinfectants pose to health care personnel or patients who are exposed to these substances. Using independent quantitative tests measuring the integrity of the cellular membrane, metabolic activity, or cell growth, we found that there is a several-hundredfold difference in the relative toxicity of various disinfecting substances. The concentration toxic in 50% of the cell population (TC(50)) that was found for each disinfectant was similar in a variety of cell lines from human, monkey, or mouse origin. Statistical analysis of TC(50)s suggests that liquid disinfecting agents could be classified in three main groups according to their relative toxicity, with: (1) mild (TC(50) > 1 mM, including phenol, hydrogen peroxide, and formaldehyde); (2) moderate (1mM > TC(50) > 0.1 mM, sodium hypochlorite); and (3) severe (TC(50) < 0.1 mM, glutaraldehyde, cupric ascorbate, and peracetic acid) toxicity. These data suggest a vast difference in the potential risk of various disinfectants and sterilants. The data presented in this study should help to define the relative toxic risk of different disinfecting substances to patients and health care personnel and assist in the selection of safer microbicidal formulations.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Short-term effects of alcohol-based disinfectant and detergent on skin irritation.

The most important risk factor for occupational contact dermatitis in hospital personnel is the exposure to irritants such as water, detergents and alcohol-based solutions. This study was undertaken to evaluate the short-term effects of repeated exposure to an alcohol-based disinfectant, to a detergent and to an alcohol-based disinfectant/detergent alternately. The hardening effect in preirritated skin after a 4-week interval was also evaluated. Detergent, disinfectant and disinfectant/detergent alternately were applied daily every 15 min for 6 h for 2 days to the flexor upper arms and forearms of 15 volunteers. A control area was included. After 4 weeks, a sodium lauryl sulfate patch was applied to each area. Irritant reactions were quantified by visual score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin colour at baseline, D3, D8, D35 and D37. As evaluated by clinical assessment, detergent caused more redness of the skin than both disinfectant applied alone and disinfectant/detergent alternately at D3 and D8, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively. An increased irritant response for detergent as compared to disinfectant alone and disinfectant/detergent was confirmed by TEWL and colour evaluations, P = 0.001 and P = 0.001 and P = 0.006 and P = 0.009, respectively. No hardening effect in preirritated skin was found after a 4-week interval. In conclusion, hand disinfection with alcohol-based disinfectant or alternate use of disinfectant/detergent causes less skin irritation than hand disinfection with a detergent. This study evaluated the short-term effects of disinfectant and detergent exposure only, and more long-term studies are necessary before recommendations can be made.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The wetting of surface-treated silicone impression materials by gypsum mixes containing disinfectants and modifiers.

PURPOSE: This work evaluated wettability of silicone impression surfaces by gypsum mixes containing disinfectants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of dental stone were modified by mixing with aqueous solutions of either sodium hypochlorite or povidone iodine. These materials were subjected to further modification by adding a mixture of 1% gum arabic and 0.132% calcium hydroxide to reduce the water requirement of the hemihydrate. Mix consistency tests were carried out to determine the effect of the disinfectants and the modifying additives on the mix fluidity. Contact angles of the mixed materials were measured when they were poured against a polyvinylsiloxane impression material that had undergone the following treatments (1) no treatment (control), (2) surfactant treated, (3) disinfectant treated, and (4) treated with both surfactant and disinfectant. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out using Dunnett's method to determine if experimental groups were significantly different from the control. RESULTS: Gypsum mix consistency was reduced by the presence of combined gum arabic and calcium hydroxide additives. Contact angle data showed that the additives and disinfectants incorporated into the gypsum had, in general, no beneficial effect on the wetting of an untreated silicone surface, or a surface treated with surfactant. In some instances, better wetting was obtained with disinfectant-treated surfaces, and surfaces that had been disinfected and treated with surfactant. CONCLUSIONS: Fluidity of the mixed gypsum was affected by the modifying additives. Chemical disinfectants incorporated in gypsum have little effect on the wetting behavior of dental gypsum. Modifying dental stone powders with gum arabic and calcium hydroxide additives (before mixing at the manufacturers' recommended liquid/powder ratios), improved the wetting behavior of the mixed materials in some cases, but results were not consistent.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Effectiveness of disinfectants in killing Enterobacter sakazakii in suspension, dried on the surface of stainless steel, and in a biofilm.

The effectiveness of 13 disinfectants used in hospitals, day-care centers, and food service kitchens in killing Enterobacter sakazakii in suspension, dried on the surface of stainless steel, and in biofilm was determined. E. sakazakii exhibited various levels of resistance to the disinfectants, depending on the composition of the disinfectants, amount and type of organic matrix surrounding cells, and exposure time. Populations of planktonic cells suspended in water (7.22 to 7.40 log CFU/ml) decreased to undetectable levels (<0.30 log CFU/ml) within 1 to 5 min upon treatment with disinfectants, while numbers of cells in reconstituted infant formula were reduced by only 0.02 to 3.69 log CFU/ml after the treatment for 10 min. The presence of infant formula also enhanced the resistance to the disinfectants of cells dried on the surface of stainless steel. The resistance of cells to disinfectants in 6-day-old and 12-day-old biofilms on the surface of stainless steel was not significantly different. The overall order of efficacy of disinfectants in killing E. sakazakii was planktonic cells > cells inoculated and dried on stainless steel > cells in biofilms on stainless steel. Findings show that disinfectants routinely used in hospital, day-care, and food service kitchen settings are ineffective in killing some cells of E. sakazakii embedded in organic matrices.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2005

Household based treatment of drinking water with flocculant-disinfectant for preventing diarrhoea in areas with turbid source water in rural western Kenya: cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect on prevalence of diarrhoea and mortality of household based treatment of drinking water with flocculant-disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite, and standard practices in areas with turbid water source in Africa. DESIGN: Cluster randomised controlled trial over 20 weeks. SETTING: Family compounds, each containing several houses, in rural western Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: 6650 people in 605 family compounds. INTERVENTION: Water treatment: flocculant-disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite, and usual practice (control). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of diarrhoea and all cause mortality. Escherichia coli concentration, free residual chlorine concentration, and turbidity in household drinking water as surrogates for effectiveness of water treatment. RESULTS: In children < 2 years old, compared with those in the control compounds, the absolute difference in prevalence of diarrhoea was -25% in the flocculant-disinfectant arm (95% confidence interval -40 to -5) and -17% in the sodium hypochlorite arm (-34 to 4). In all age groups compared with control, the absolute difference in prevalence was -19% in the flocculant-disinfectant arm (-34 to -2) and -26% in the sodium hypochlorite arm (-39 to -9). There were significantly fewer deaths in the intervention compounds than in the control compounds (relative risk of death 0.58, P = 0.036). Fourteen per cent of water samples from control compounds had E coli concentrations < 1 CFU/100 ml compared with 82% in flocculant-disinfectant and 78% in sodium hypochlorite compounds. The mean turbidity of drinking water was 8 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) in flocculant-disinfectant households, compared with 55 NTU in the two other compounds (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In areas of turbid water, flocculant-disinfectant was associated with a significant reduction in diarrhoea among children < 2 years. This health benefit, combined with a significant reduction in turbidity, suggests that the flocculant-disinfectant is well suited to areas with highly contaminated and turbid water.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[The disinfection of nebulizers in a basic health unit in Ribeirão Preto].

Considering the widely divergent views of the nursing staff with respect to nebulizer disinfection in Basic Health Units (BHU) and to the lack of standardization of the use of chemical products and of the disinfection process as a whole, the author undertook an investigation with the following objectives: to observe systematically the routine procedure of nebulizer disinfection in the aerosol room of a BHU, and to detect, point out and warn about possible faults in the disinfection process. The disinfection process was observed directly and systematically and a questionnaire with open questions was applied to the nurse responsible for the service. The results showed that the process of disinfection performed is not consistent with recommendations by the Health Department and/or State Health Secretariat, and that the personnel involved in this activity has incomplete knowledge of the standardization of the use of the chemical products utilized and of the conditions that interfere with their action during the disinfection process. The results obtained indicate the need for a standardization of the disinfection process as whole, according to current sanitary norms and for continual in-service education in order to improve the quality of nursing care provided to the users of health services.

Brazil↗