This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Barbeito, M S Articles by Brookey, E A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Barbeito, M S Articles by Brookey, E A, Jr Agricola Articles by Barbeito, M S Articles by Brookey, E A

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1976 November; 32(5): 671-678

Microbiological hazard from the exhaust of a high-vacuum sterilizer.

ABSTRACT

Data are presented which show the potential for release of viable microorganisms into the atmosphere from high-vacuum steam sterilizers during the evacuation cycle preceding application of steam under pressure. Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores, Serratia marcescens cells, and T1 coliphage disseminated into the sterilizer chamber as small particles from liquid suspensions, and dried spores of B. subtilis var. niger distributed on bulk discard materials were recovered from the atmosphere around pipes venting steam from the steam ejectors used to create chamber vacuum. Evaluation of the hazard involved is discussed, and the design, fabrication, and installation of a valved filter system for preventing release of viable microorganisms are presented. The filtration system utilized an F-700 water-resistant filter and was shown to eliminate the release of viable airborne microorganisms from a high-vacuum sterilizer. A method is presented for determining size requirements for an atmospheric vent filter in relation to the volume of a sterilizer.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Kimman, T. G., Smit, E., Klein, M. R. (2008). Evidence-Based Biosafety: a Review of the Principles and Effectiveness of Microbiological Containment Measures. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 21: 403-425 [Abstract] [Full Text]