Category: Care & Maintenance

Topic: Decontamination

Article Title: Pathogenic Decontamination

For decontamination, Hettich Instruments recommends using surface decontaminants such as “BDD” or “Bacdown” from Decon Laboratories (www.deconlabs.com). Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the safe use of any product used for cleaning and decontamination.

IMPORTANT: Remove rotor and accessories from centrifuge prior to cleaning.

A final rinse of clear water and complete drying is required to ensure no residue remains that may cause corrosion on metal parts.

Air drying rotors and accessories MAY cause undesirable oxidation under certain conditions.

Cleaning, inspection, and lubrication of the rotor and bucket pivot points is required prior to use. Please refer to the centrifuge operator’s manual.

In instances where it is more appropriate to decontaminate an entire centrifuge (such as after a catastrophic failure), Hettich Instruments recommends a process that includes the use of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) where the whole machine is placed inside a gas chamber that completely permeates the entire system, neutralizing all pathogens.