Hi!
I am working in a hospital in S. India. I have been told that Fumigation of the Theatre with formaldehyde pump for HLD/Sterilization is not an accepted practice and the use of Formaldehyde has been discontinued due to its carcinogenic nature. What is the best alternative?
Venugopal.K.G

Dear,

Indeed, due to the problems correlated with formaldehyde fumigation such as: an operation room out of use for several hours or days, the workload, the toxicity but especially the lack of efficacy, this method became more and more regarded as a ritual. Therefor it disappeared out our hospitals 25 to 30 years ago. It is replaced simply by meticulous cleaning and disinfection. These practices are embodied in work procedures. For background information I refer you to the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/enviro/env_guide_draft.pdf: "Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare facilities". Chapter E: Environmental Services, page 67 to 79, describes the principles.

Success,
Wim Renders

See also the questions related to low temperature sterilization.

In Germany a special qualification is needed for performing a fumigation.
In former days Formaldehyde fumigation was used to disinfect a room in case of contagious diseases. Today it is known, fumigation is less effective than meticulous cleaning including disinfection of all surfaces. In Germany after a contagious disease the usage of disinfectants listed in the RKI-list (Robert Koch-Institute) are highly recommended. These products normally contain aldehydes (especially FO) or oxygen releaser.
Even after performing a fumigation it is necessary to clean and disinfect all surfaces. But still in some special cases fumigation might be indicated: like lung plaque, pulmonary anthrax, viral hemorrhagic fever, and smallpox. In general a fumigation should only be done, when arranged by a health officer. Normally, a surface disinfection with RKI-listed products should be enough.

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