title: Sterilisation of surgical instruments with formaldehyde gas.
abstract: Haemostatic forceps contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Aspergillus flavus were exposed to formaldehyde gas for up to 48 hours at different temperatures and relative humidities. After 24 hours at 22 to 24 degrees C and a relative humidity of 73 per cent they were sterilised reliably and completely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lubbe
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Henton
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D005740:Gases; D006813:Humidity; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D005557:Formaldehyde