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you have used a disinfectant which is
harmful to stainless steel (Hypochlorite
solutions, for example) be sure that none
remains to corrode cabinet surfaces. Clean
the s>Jrfaces with sterile water.
3.
If you have a spill involving a hazardous
Biosafety Level
2
or
3
agent, then you are
advised to leave the cabinet running and
close the view screen, so as to let the aerosols
settle before you start cleanup procedures.
With some spills, it may be necessary to
decontaminate the room with an
ag~nt
such
as formaldehyde gas. (Biosafety Level 4
agents should never be used in this type of
cabinet.)
,
4.
If the spill contains volatile liquids which
generate vapors creating a danger of fire or
explosion, tum off the unit and other
electrical appliances and close the viewscreen.
Evacuate and seal tl1e room and call for
irrunediate help from a safety professional.
5.
lf the agent is a hazardous chemical, it may
be recommended that a Spill Kit be kept
readily available. This kit should be clearly
labeled, and might include such items as a
respirator, chemical splash goggles, two pairs
of gloves, two sheets of absorbent material,
spill control pillows, a solution to clean the
contaminated area, and waste disposal bags
or other conta.iners. Consult your safety
professional for proper procedures and
treatment of the specific agents you plan to
use.
Ultraviolet (Germicidal) Light
This SterilGARD"II unit has an ultraviolet light.
The light is controlled by an on/ off switch on the
front panel. See Fig. 5. \Nhen the fluorescent light
rs on, the ultraviolet light cannot operate. The
ev
light
\VilJ
not operate unless the vievvscreen is
cornpleteJy dovv'n and
t11e
fluorescent light is off.
Cltraviolet lamps lose their effectiveness 0'/er
tirr1e and should be replaced vvhen _inten::it\.r
droD~
be.! ow tile optimum
le,vel.
Check regular.ly·.
' -
15
.
WA.RNLNG!
• Eyes and ski11 should not be exposed to
dired
ultraviolet light.
• Ultraviolet
light
should not be
relied upon
as .
t~re
sole
decontamiltating
agent.
Addtiwnal
sulface
disinfection should be
performed both before and after
every
cabinet
usc.
• A biological safety cabinet acts as a sup-
plement to good aseptic practices,
110t
as a
replacement.
Decontamination
vVhenever maintenance, service or repair is
needed in
a
contaminated area of vour cabinet
the unit must first be
deconta:min~ted
bv an
'
appropriate agent. The National InstitL;te of
Health,
~ational
Cancer Institute and the Center
for Disease Control have all recommended the use
of formaldehyde gas for most microbiological
agents. Its application requires individuals who
are experienced in the decontamination of
cabinets, since the gas itself is toxic.
A good reference for this procedure is The
National Cancer Institute's "Formaldehyde
Decontamination of Laminar Flow Biological
Safety Cabinets" (pamphlet and/ or slide
program),
U.S.
Department of Health, Education
and Welfare: National Institutes of Health.
Available through Chief of Sales Branch, '\Jational
Audiovisual Center, Washi11gton, DC 20409.
An ethylene oxide gas mixture is an alternative,
but it involves a more complicated procedure and
should
only
be used by personnel ';.Vho are
familiar with its operation.
Whatever gas you choose, have the proper
safety equiprnent (gas masksr protective clothin(',
t )
. l .
b
e c.
\Nlt
uneasy reach. ln addition, vou vvilJ vvant
to be sure that the gas you are using.will be
effective against all of the biolcsical agents \vithin
the cabinet V\
1
hen you have dt;cid_ed
~rlrich
gas to
use, post the antidote to it in a visible and
n~~trb\r
location. The volurne of the SG-100 cabinet is 55 ·
cubic feet
,_::ubic feet- for the SG600 L Pruvkie
tl1e correct arnowTt of deco.ntarrtinating gtts for
tbis volurne.
,
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