Biosafety Cabinet Cleaning & Decontamination

This video shows that ethanol (or isopropanol) wipes are not sufficient to decontaminate a biosafety cabinet or any other item, because the ethanol film evaporates within less than 10 seconds. Rather, a validated decontaminant should be used. Application should be by spraying or using a towel generously soaked with the decontaminant. Ethanol (isopropanol) poses a serious fire hazard if used in large amounts in the BSC! (see below on how much ethanol can be safely used in a BSC.)
The Basler & Hofmann workshop "Working Safely in the Biosafety Cabinet" will enable you to better protect the BSC operator and cultures from exposure and contamination, respectively.
Workshop information: www.gmuender.org/ftp/BSC.pdf
Biosafety cabinet standards and guidelines recommend using only "small" or even "minute" amounts of volatile flammable or toxic solvents in biosafety cabinets. Ethanol's lower explosion limit is 3%, its flash point in air is 12.8°C! So are we at risk when we spray alcohol in a biosafety cabinet? How little ethanol is still safe?
More information at:
gmuender.org/ft...