steps of fumigation

1. Step 1: Preparation
1. Clean the area (windows. doors floor, walls, surgery table and all washable
equipment’s) thoroughly by with soap and water.
2. Close windows and ventilators tightly. If any openings found seal it with
cellophane tape or other material to avoid the leak of fume.
3. Switch off all lights, A/C and other electrical & electronic items.
4. Calculate the room size (surgical theatre only) in cubic feet (LxBxH) and calculate the
required amount of Formaldehyde as given in step 3.
Step 2: Precaution
1. Adequate care must be taken by wearing cap, mask, foot cover, spectacle etc ...
2. Formaldehyde is irritate to eye & nose: and it has also been recognized as a potential
carcinogen.
3. So the personnel undertaking the fumigation must be provided with the personal protective
equipment (PPE).
4. Paste a warning notice on the front door indicating fumigation is in progress.
Step 3: Fumigation
1. Fumigation Method (Recommended): For Each 1000 cubic feet, 500 ml of formaldehyde (40%
solution) added in 1000 ml of distilled water (if not available use tap water) in a fumigator.
Switch on the fumigator, leave the room and seal the door. After 45 minutes (variable
depending to volume present in the apparatus/its fumigation proficiency) switch off the
fumigator without entering in to the room (set timer as required).
2. After the initiation of formaldehyde vapour immediately leave the room and seal it for
at least 12 to 24hours.
Step 4: Neutralization
1. Before neutralization, formaldehyde fumigation system should be taken out from the
surgical theatre. Then the toxicity of formaldehyde vapor should be neutralized with
ammonia solution.
2. Place a cotton ball and pour 300 ml of 10% ammonia (for each 500 ml of formaldehyde used)
on the floor of surgical theatre, at least 4 hours before the Sterility Test 3. Formaldehyde
gas reacts with ammonia gas and produce Hexamine (synonym Hexamethylene tetramine)
which is a harmless substance
FUMIGATOR
METHOD OF FUMIGATION