What does Chapter <825> say?
Surfaces must be cleaned before being disinfected unless an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered (or equivalent) one-step disinfectant cleaner is used to accomplish both the cleaning and disinfection in one step. After cleaning and disinfecting or the application of a one-step disinfectant cleaner in a PEC, apply sterile 70% IPA to remove any residue.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces should occur at the minimum frequencies specified in [Table 5] or if activities are not performed daily, cleaning and disinfecting must be completed before initiating activities.
The act of reducing or removing radioactivity (radioactive decontamination) from an object or surface must be balanced with the risk of spreading radioactive contamination. At times the best approach may be to shield the area until the radiation exposure levels are lower. The PEC should be checked for radioactive contamination before cleaning and disinfecting to prevent spreading radioactive contamination in the PEC.
Cleaning must be performed in the direction of most to least clean areas.
The manufacturer’s direction or published data for the minimum contact time must be followed for the cleaning, disinfecting, and sporicidal agents used. When sterile 70% IPA is used, it must be allowed to dry.
Table 5 – Minimum Cleaning Frequency for Cleaning and Disinfecting in Classified Areas and within the Perimeter of the SRPA
Site
|
Cleaning
|
Disinfecting *
|
Applying Sporicidal
|
PEC(s) and equipment inside the PEC(s)
|
Prior to performing sterile processing of radiopharmaceuticals on each day that activities are carried out, the walls, bars, torso shield and any exposed surface of equipment inside the PEC must be cleaned to the extent possible as specified by the equipment manufacturer or the assessment of a qualified individual (e.g., microbiologist or industrial hygienist). Radioactive contamination may be shielded with appropriate temporary material, providing the material is covered with low-lint absorbent pads or has equivalent low shedding properties.
|
Following cleaning on each day that activities are carried out, exposed surfaces of the equipment should be disinfected to the extent possible as specified by the equipment manufacturer or the assessment of a qualified individual (e.g., microbiologist or industrial hygienist).
When used, remove low-lint absorbent pads and survey the PEC for radioactive contamination prior to disinfecting.
Replace with new pads after disinfecting or as required after spills.
|
Monthly
|
Surfaces of sink(s)
|
Daily
|
Daily
|
Monthly
|
Hot-cells (all interior surfaces, dependent on design, equipment, and shielding present)
|
Daily
|
Daily
|
Monthly
|
Work surface(s) outside the PEC
|
Daily
|
Daily
|
Monthly
|
Ceiling(s)
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
Wall(s)
Door(s)
Door frame(s), and other fixtures
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
Floors
|
Daily
|
Daily
|
Monthly
|
Storage Shelving and storage bins
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
Monthly
|
*Many disinfectants registered with the EPA are one-step cleaning and disinfecting agents, which means that the disinfectant has been formulated to be effective in the presence of light to moderate soiling without a separate cleaning step. Cleaning and disinfecting must be balanced with the risk of spreading radiation contamination. The best approach may be to shield the area until the radiation exposure levels are lower.