Published in La gazette du laboratoire
What are the differences between decontamination and disinfection? What recommendations and solutions should be implemented? OXY’PHARM’s answers…
Decontamination and disinfection are two operations used in the cleaning process of a cleanroom. These are two distinct stages that follow each other. These operations are carried out prior to the compliance tests that must be carried out in order for them to qualify according to a well-defined protocol, ensuring that the results are effective and repeatable.
Because only areas that are already clean can be disinfected, decontamination and disinfection are defining parts of the bio-cleaning process. And who could know more about the subject than OXY’PHARM, who have been specialising in the fight against infections and contaminations for almost 18 years!
Through these two key stages of the bio-cleaning process, OXY’PHARM offers a complete hygiene solution based on a combination of two technologies: steam bio-cleaning with the SANIVAP range, and automated surface bio-disinfection with the NOCOTECH range.
Decontamination for the cleaning and particulate decontamination of surfaces
The surfaces are decontaminated after the end-of-site cleaning (cleaning and washing walls, dusting, evacuation of waste, degreasing, airing, etc.). It prepares the surfaces and ensures that the subsequent disinfection is effective: these preliminary cleaning stages are therefore imperative. Decontaminating consists of cleaning surfaces (ceilings, walls, floors, supports and furniture), using a detergent treatment and can be done with steam. A process that, unlike chemical detergents, does not require rinsing.
OXY’PHARM, who acquired SANIVAP in 2019, a French manufacturer and distributor of steam bio-cleaning devices, was therefore able to complete its field of expertise and offer a range dedicated to surface cleaning and particulate surface decontamination. Composed of different steam generators such as the SP 400 (2850W) and the SP 500/600 (3450W with water injection), SANIVAP solutions also include a wide range of accessories – brush, microfiber holder, angled nozzle, etc. – that are adapted and defined according to the needs of each bio-cleaning protocol. SANIVAP devices are class IIa medical devices, which also comply with the NF 72-110 standard.
Disinfection, a final phase
Cleanroom disinfection is a final decontamination and disinfection operation. It is used to treat all surfaces (ceilings, walls, floors, all supports and furniture). It is recommended before the room is put into operation or put back into operation after work has been carried out. The aim is also to provide the premises with the required level of microbiological cleanliness. The disinfection is carried out in accordance with previously defined protocols, with the aim of subsequently meeting the qualification standards.
In response to these requirements, Oxy’Pharm has developed the Nocotech concept, a new generation solution, 100% automated, dedicated to surface disinfection by air. At the heart of this concept: the combined action of a diffusion system and a totally biodegradable disinfectant product which will ultimately be found in the form of water and oxygen.
Several models of machines are available, including the NOCOSPRAY and the NOCOMAX EASY, which can treat a room of 10 to 1,000 m3, and 500 to 20,000 m3, respectively. The wall-mounted NOCOSPRAY can be fixed to a wall or ceiling to treat surfaces of up to 1,000 m3, while a wall-mounted version “with wall crossing” is available for use from outside the room to be treated. All systems work using the same principle: dissemination of disinfectant products in the form of a mist
The Nocotech range of ready-to-use bio-disinfection products is available in liquid form. They are formulated based on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and are free from peracetic acid. They include: NOCOLYSE +, which contains 12% hydrogen peroxide and 17ppm silver, and NOCOLYSE FOOD, which contains 7.9% hydrogen peroxide, without silver, and mainly used to treat surfaces in contact with food products.
Nocotech, a simple and quick method of action that is eco-responsible and complies with normative requirements
The combination of speed and temperature ionises the emitted particles and degrades the peroxide into highly oxidising free radicals – “super oxide” ions – with a very short life span. With its rapid natural degradation (in water and oxygen), no Volatile Organic Compounds are formed. The size of the particles (5µ on average) in this dry mist gives slow and perfectly uniform coverage on every cm² of the room treated, without creating any humidity on the surfaces.
All the Oxy’Pharm disinfectants are fully biodegradable (do not leave residues on surfaces after the treatment), non-allergenic, non-corrosive to surfaces, including electronic surfaces and are environmentally friendly and safe for human use. Airborne surface disinfection makes it possible to treat often inaccessible and sometimes complex surfaces, such as those that are out of the reach of operators. It aims to evenly distribute the disinfectant product on the surfaces of the room.
This concept makes surface disinfection as easy as possible. Just specify the volume of the room to be treated and start the treatment. Two phases then follow: diffusion and contact time. The contact time is the time needed to evenly deposit the disinfectant mist on all the surfaces of the treated room, for its biocidal effectiveness and for its natural degradation into water and oxygen. For a curative treatment, the contact time should be at least one hour. The machine stops automatically at the end of the diffusion time. No intervention is necessary after the contact time (no need to wipe or ventilate). It is of course essential to set up a protocol of use in order to employ the treatments as well as possible.
The Nocotech system is compliant with ASD (airborne surface disinfection) standards: EN 17272 (bactericide, fungicide, sporicide and virucide) and NF T72-281 (November 2014 version) concerning airborne surface disinfection processes, a mandatory standard for the authorisation to place these processes on the French market in patient care environments. The Nocotech concept is also registered at the European level (with ECHA – European Chemicals Agency) under the Biocide Directive.
The Oxy’pharm solution, eco-responsible detergents and disinfectants: an effective combination to fight against all infections and contaminations!
Because the best solution is always a combination of expertise and a combination of technology, Oxy’Pharm has set up a complete hygiene concept with to its Sanivap and Nocotech product range. The Oxy’pharm devices responds to the need for versatility and guarantee complete bio-cleaning: detergency and disinfection.
The treatments are perfectly suitable for the cleanrooms of healthcare institutions. They are biodegradable, non-corrosive, safe for healthcare professionals and patients, and have no impact on electronic equipment. The unique combination of steam bio- cleaning and bio-disinfection: effective, fast, easy to use, economical and environmentally friendly.
Health and safety is Oxy’Pharm’s priority!
Nowadays, the Oxy’Pharm Group is proud to have nearly 70 employees, including technicians, sales representatives, engineers, chemists, etc. Its head office is based in Champigny-sur-Marne, near Paris, where it also centralises all the production of its Nocotech range, in parallel with the production of the Sanivap range of devices, which occurs in the Lyon region in Sainte Consorce, making Oxy’Pharm a 100% French producer, whose products are distributed throughout the world.
Finally, it should be noted that the effectiveness of the products and the concept of surface disinfection by air developed by Oxy’Pharm has been demonstrated on viruses, bacteria, yeasts, spores and fungi. Its diffusion machines allow for the automated processing of both small volumes (operating room, laboratory, etc.) and very large volumes (food industry, pharmaceutical industry, etc.). The Oxy’Pharm concept is aimed at the medical, pharmaceutical and food sectors, as well as tourism, transport, catering and local authorities (nurseries, schools, etc.). Client references include: APHP, SDIS 75, Porte avion Charles de Gaulle, INRS, INRA, CNRS, CEA, Lactalis, Madrange, Justin Bridou, Sanofi, Novartis, Biomérieux, Atalian, Elior, etc.