title: Use of 70% alcohol for the routine removal of microbial hard surface bioburden in life science cleanrooms.
abstract: Alcohol-based disinfectants are used for the removal of microbial hard surface bioburden in Life science Cleanrooms. Evidence for using formulations containing 70% alcohol has been lost over time but probably originates from historical observations of the activity of 60-70% alcohol. Tradition is no longer adequate to inform contemporary cleaning practice. We evaluated the efficacy of ethanol, isopropanol and trade-specific denatured alcohol 7 against vegetative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus hirae using standardized European Suspension and Hard Surface tests. All three alcohols were effective at lower concentrations than the 70% standard. This constitutes the first evaluation of disinfectant formulations containing ≤70% alcohol using standard methodology. The utility of trade-specific denatured alcohol #7 and evidence-based cleanroom practice warrant further validation.
authors.affiliation: MEDSA Group Ltd, Unit 2/3 RVB Park, Camffrwd Way, Swansea Enterprise Park, Swansea, SA6 8QD, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvage
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004202:Disinfectants; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D004202:Disinfectants
keywords: alcohol; biocide; cost effective; disinfectant; evidence-based practice; sustainable