Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial with virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal activity. H2O2 is a relatively rapid sterilization technology. H2O2 is produced by the vaporization (at 120°C) of liquid hydrogen peroxide to give a mixture of H2O2 and water vapor. As a “dry” process, the concentration of H2O2 is controlled below a given condensation point, which is dependent on the area temperature. (Kokubo, Inoue, & Akers, 1998).
Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide has several advantages over other decontamination alternatives: rapid cycle time (e.g. 30–45min), low temperature, environmentally safe by-products (only water and oxygen), relatively good material compatibility and ease of operation, installation and monitoring.[1]
Compared to Ethylene Oxide gas, H2O2 typically cannot penetrate large, dense packaging, but it can offer an alternative where material compatibility with EO is a problem. Because hydrogen peroxide breaks down to water and oxygen, aeration time is greatly reduced and any concern for toxicity is very low risk.
DSE can assist in the product testing and cycle development with our testing services. More on these services to come soon.
Contact us today at Decontamination Specialty Equipment for cost-effective solutions to your decontamination challenges!
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