How to Disinfect an Anaerobic Chamber

Daily Decontamination

• 1

  Have an assistant insert a small cloth towel dampened with Zephiran into the airlock before you have exited the chamber. Close the outer airlock door and cycle the airlock.

• 2

  Bring the damp cloth through the inner airlock door and into the main work area. Wipe the work area floor thoroughly.

• 3

  Return the cloth to the airlock and close the inner airlock door. Cycle the airlock again. Exit the chamber and remove the cloth from the airlock. Thoroughly wash the cloth of Zephiran and put it away.

Intensive Decontamination

• 4

  Shut off the power to the anaerobic chamber. Shut off the gas regulators and remove the arm port doors. Open the doors to the airlock and incubator. Remove any equipment from inside the chamber.

• 5

  Put on protective gloves. Mix and dilute the bleach solution (1 part bleach, 8.4 parts water, 0.6 part white vinegar).

• 6

  Soak a cotton towel in the bleach solution. Wipe the main work area, incubator, and airlock until all surfaces are wet.

• 7

  Remove the rubber cuffs from the sleeves and dispose of them. Wipe the inside and outside of the sleeves until wet. Replace the disposed cuffs with new sterile cuffs.

• 8

  Remove the gaskets from the airlock doors and wipe them until wet.

• 9

  Allow surfaces to remain wet with the bleach solution for at least an hour; apply additional bleach solution if necessary.

• 10

  Soak a clean cotton towel in water and thoroughly wipe all treated surfaces. Then dry them with a clean towel. Wash and dry at least two more times. Dampen a cloth with Zephiran and wipe the surfaces.

• 11

  Let the chamber air out for at least 12 hours before reassembling, closing and using the system.