Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
others 2007; Setlow and Johnson 2007). Although commercial chlorine dioxide tech-
nologies exist, they are not necessarily well suited to meet the specifi c, and often
unique, requirements of deployed military personnel. Research scientists at NSRDEC/
CFD and in academia have collaborated to invent, develop, and validate novel tech-
nologies directed primarily toward military applications that generate chlorine dioxide
at point-of-use for eliminating microbial hazards from fresh produce and food-
handling environments.
The Portable Chemical Sterilizer
The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS) is an innovative surface disinfectant technol-
ogy based on the broad-based biocidal activity of chlorine dioxide and can be used to
eliminate bacterial spores, vegetative pathogens, and spoilage microfl ora in cross-
cutting applications ranging from the sterilization of medical equipment and surgical
instruments to ensuring the safety of fresh produce (Feeherry and others 2007). The
PCS is a portable, energy-independent, almost waterless device that uses a novel
chemical combination to controllably produce copious amounts of chlorine dioxide
and readily inactivate vegetative pathogens ( E. coli , L. monocytogenes , Staphylococcus
aureus ), resistant bacterial spores ( Bacillus stearothermophilus ), and bacterial spore
bioindicators ( B. stearothermophilus or B. atrophaeus spores). The essential design
of the PCS is based on a Pelican case, a commercially available hard plastic suitcase
made of lightweight, chemically resistant material that is rugged, durable, capable of
multiple uses, and molded into a compact, stackable design for simplifi ed logistics
and convenient transport. This particular design is well suited to accommodate require-
ments for rapid mobility in the high-intensity, demanding environments of far-forward
military deployments (Fig. 14.3 ).
Comparison of PCS with “Bertha”
With its ability to sterilize contaminated surgical instruments, the PCS is a modern
fi eld autoclave that signifi es a major technological improvement over conventional
Figure 14.3. The PCS is a lightweight, easy-to-carry plastic suitcase embellished with
design features to control the activity of chlorine dioxide sterilant and offers several
technological advantages over conventional steam autoclaves.
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