ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the performance of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) for the bio-decontamination of the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter unit.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Self-made or commercially available bioindicators were placed at designated locations in the HEPA filter unit under VHP fumigation. The spores on coupons were then extracted by 0.5 h submergence in eluent followed by 200- time violent knocks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Due to the presence of HEPA filter in the box, spore recovery from coupons placed at the bottom of the filter downstream was significantly higher than that from coupons placed at the other locations. The gap of decontamination efficiency between the top and the bottom of the filter downstream became narrower with the exposure time extended. The decontamination efficiency of the bottom of the filter downstream only improved gently with the injection rate of H2O2 increased and the decontamination efficiency decreased instead when the injection rate exceeded 2.5 g/min. The commercially available bioindicators were competent to indicate the disinfection efficiency of VHP for the HEPA filter unit.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This assay developed can detect all 16 β-lactams demanded by the European Union (EU). The whole procedure takes only 45 min and can detect 42 samples and the standards with duplicate analysis.</p>
Subject(s)
Air Filters , Fumigation , Hydrogen Peroxide , ChemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate and analyze the occurrence of 64,101 perinatal birth defects from 2000 to 2004, to determine the tendency of the incidence rate of birth defects and perinatal mortality, and to explore feasible and effective intervention strategy.@*METHODS@#We investigated 64,101 perinatal infants who were born in 13 hospitals in Changsha from January 2000 to December 2004. The incidence rate of all birth defects, mortality of perinatal infants, the incidence rate of various kinds of birth defects, and the component rate of birth defects were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Altogether 1,050 neonate birth defects were found, with the incidence rate of 1.638%. The incidence rate of birth defects was increasing year-by-year in 2000 compared with that in 2002, 2003 and 2004, with significant differences (all P values<0.05): the incidence rate of birth defects in 2001 compared with that in 2002, 2003 and 2004, also with significant differences (P<0.05). Eight hundred seventy nine perinatal infants died, and the mortality was 1.371%. The mortality perinatal of infants increased in 2001 compared with that in 2002 and in 2003, with significant differences (P<0.05). The top 5 birth defects with the highest incidence were congenital heart disease, polydactly, auricle malformation, cheiloschisis, and palatoschisis, congenital hydrocephal in turn. The incidences of congenital heart disease and hydrocephal increased significantly. One hundred seventy seven fetuses were performed induced labor because of fetal defects from 2003.@*CONCLUSION@#We must pay attention to the increasing tendency of birth defect incidence and perinatal mortality. Strengthening environmental protection and antenatal care can decrease the birth defect incidence. Performing antenatal examination and neonatal screening regularly can discover the birth defects in time. When severe birth defects occur, the induced labor should be performed.