Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis spores to decontaminate subway railcar and related materials via the fogging of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide sporicidal liquids.

ABSTRACT: The inactivation of Bacillus anthracis spores on subway and used subway railcar materials was evaluated using fogged peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide (PAA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). A total of 21 separate decontamination tests were conducted using bacterial spores of both B. anthracis Ames (B.a.) and Bacillus atrophaeus (B.g.) inoculated onto several types of materials. Tests were conducted using commercial off-the-shelf fogging equipment filled with either PAA or H₂O₂ to fumigate a ∼15 cubic meter chamber under uncontrolled ambient relative humidity and controlled temperature (10 or 20 °C) from 8 to 168 h. For the present study, no conditions were found that resulted in complete inactivation of either B.a. Ames or B.g. on all test materials.

SUBMITTER: Richter WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5738270 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature