title: Use of containment pans and lids for autoclaving caustic solutions.
abstract: As a means of decontaminating instruments possibly exposed to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the World Health Organization has recommended immersion and autoclaving in sodium hydroxide. However, this recommendation has raised concerns of possible damage to autoclaves, and hazards to operators as a result of the caustic vapors. A series of experiments has been conducted that demonstrate that there are containment pan-and-lid combinations in which instruments can be autoclaved in sodium hydroxide without risk to the autoclave or the operator.
authors.affiliation: Division of Mechanics and Materials Science, Office of Science and Technology, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merritt
mesh_terms: D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D012972:Sodium Hydroxide