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This is currently registered in Australia for use as a chemical sterilant with the Steris System1®, and as a high level disinfectant with the Reliance™ Endoscopic Processing System, Soluscope® 3CC-PAA and Medivator Advantage Plus reprocessing machines.
The Steris and Reliance biocide is supplied in a sealed container with a liquid part and a powder part. The liquid part contains peroxyacetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and water. The powder part or the buffers include nitrilotriacetic acid, trisodium salt monohydrate.
Peracetic acid supplied for use in the Soluscope 3CC PAA is a 2 part liquid dose system. The system uses two 5 litre storage containers; one container holds the peracetic acid concentrate and the other container holds the buffer/anti corrosive concentrate. A similar arrangement is used in the Medivator Advantage Plus: part A of the 2 part liquid dose system contains hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid; part B contains trisodium phosphate and surfactant.
Peracetic acid is classified as hazardous to health in accordance with ASCC criteria.
Peracetic acid is corrosive and may cause lacrimation, burns, conjunctivitis, inflammation and permanent eye damage including blindness.
Peracetic acid is corrosive by inhalation. Vapour/mist will irritate nose, throat and lungs, but will usually subside when exposure ceases. Coughing, sneezing, mucous production, nausea, headache and breathing difficulty may occur.
Peracetic acid is corrosive and may cause severe burns. It is toxic by absorption through intact skin and may cause redness, stinging, swelling, defatting, burns and irritant contact dermatitis.
Peracetic acid is corrosive if swallowed and may cause nausea, vomiting and serious damage to tissues.
Studies do not confirm increased risk of cancer in exposed humans and peracetic acid is not listed as a carcinogen.
Some of the components of the powder part are classified as possibly carcinogenic but no significant hazards should occur when good personal hygiene and safety practices are followed.
No exposure standard has been set for the Steris 20 Sterilant Concentrate or Soluscope P, however exposure standards exist for the individual constituents.
Monitoring is not usually conducted because peracetic acid does not have an exposure standard.
elimination - eliminate the use of the hazardous substance (this may not always be possible)
substitution - substitute the chemical with one less hazardous
isolation - isolate the hazardous substance from the operator
engineering controls - e.g., install ventilation systems
administrative controls - those recommended for the use of peracetic acid are:
PPE - recommended for use with peracetic acid are:
A risk assessment should be conducted to determine if health surveillance is required. However if peracetic acid is used within an enclosed system, exposure will be minimal and health surveillance is unlikely to be required.
All employees required to handle peracetic acid must receive induction and ongoing training on its safe use. They should be fully trained in the nature and hazards of the product, as well as spill, leak and fire fighting responses.
Part of the training provided to anyone working with peracetic acid should include instructions on how to clean up a spill and in the use of the spill kit. Records must be kept of the details of staff induction and training.
A spill kit should contain:
An emergency response plan should be developed for large spills.
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