Photocatalysis has been widely applied to solar-energy conversion and environmental purification. Photocatalyst, typically titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), produces active oxygen species under irradiation of ultraviolet light, and can decompose not only conventional pollutants but also different types of hazardous substances at mild conditions. We have recently started the study of photocatalytic dec...

UNLABELLED Unrecognized cross-contamination has been known to occur in laboratories frequently, especially with sensitive recovery system like BACTEC 460 TB. In March 2001, we investigated a pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in three smear negative clinical specimens and would like to present our experience in this communication. METHODS All suspected cases were confirmed...

Decontamination, i.e. cleaning by removal of chemicals or germs, is a term commonly used for the process of treating devices, instruments and surfaces in order to ensure their safe operation. It is of exceptional importance in healthcare, food and pharmaceutical industry as well as in the areas of army and public defense. The decontamination process covers several steps like simple washing with...

In order to provide technical information needed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to evaluate the adequacy of near-surface disposal of decontamination wastes, Brookhaven National Laboratory has measured the release of organic reagents from solidified simulated decontamination wastes. The waste streams consisted of either mixed-bed ion-exchange resins or anion exchange resins equilibrat...

Studies show significant association between cancer risk and being a firefighter. Firefighter bunker gear often contains carcinogens that firefighters may absorb through contact or inhale through off-gassing, thereby increasing cancer risk. Awareness of increased cancer risk has given rise to policies and practices focused on gear cleaning and decontamination processes to decrease risk, yet the...

IMPORTANCE Surgical site infections (SSIs), commonly caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, specifically when hardware is implanted in the patient. Previously, we have demonstrated that a preoperative decontamination protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate washcloths and intranasal antiseptic ointment is effective in...

Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) and selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) have been associated with reduced mortality and lower ICU-acquired bacteremia and ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in areas with low levels of antibiotic resistance. However, the effect of selective decontamination (SDD/SOD) in areas where multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are endemic is le...

After recent terrorist attacks, new attention has been focused on health care facility decontamination practices. This article reviews core issues related to the selection of appropriate personal protective equipment for health care facility decontamination personnel, with an emphasis on respiratory protection. Existing federal regulations focus primarily on scene response and not on issues spe...

We have been studying dry surface decontamination technology with low-pressure arc plasma (LPAP). The dependence of the decontamination performance on Co distribution in the test piece was investigated. The Co removal ratio became lower when Co was distributed more deeply in the metal oxide film, although all the metal oxide film was removed. However, a Co removal ratio exceeding 90% was eventu...