FUMIGATION

DTS-EQA
INTRODUTION

Fumigation is the process by which we can

sterilize the enclosed area by injecting the
chemical which will kill or destroy
microbes present in the air.

By maintaining sterile environment in

operation theatre we can control major
part of exogenous infections.
FUMIGATION

•  Fumigation is a process of gaseous sterilisation

which is used for killing of micro-organisms and
prevention of microbial growth in air, surface of wall
or floor.
•  It is generally used in the pharmaceuticals,
operation theatres, hospitals, hotels and offices and
wherever required.
•  Method of fumigation completely fills an area with
gaseous fumigants to suffocate or poison the
microbes & pests within.
WIDELY USED FUMIGANTS
INCLUDE:
• hydrogen cyanide
• Formaldehyde
• sulfuryl fluoride
• Phosphine • Iodoform
• Methyl bromide
• 1,3dichloroprop
ene
• chloropicrin
• methyl
isocyanate
EXAMPLE OF FUMIGATION EQUIPMENT
 FORMALDEHYDE

• A gas at room temperature,

formaldehyde is colorless and has a
characteristic pungent, irritating odor.
• When dissolved in water, formaldehyde forms a
hydrate
• methanediol.
• A saturated water solution, that contains about
40% formaldehyde by volume or 37% by mass, is
called "100% formalin". A typical commercial
grade formalin may contain 10– 12% methanol
 FORMALDEHYDE AT
APPROXIMATELY 5% IN A
• solution with water is used as a fumigant and
disinfectant in hospitals.
• Formaldehyde kills microbes
• In order to be effective, the gas has to dissolve
in the film of moisture surrounding the bacteria,
for this reason relative humidities in the order
of 75% RH and temperature above 22°C.
METHODS OF FUMIGATION

ELECTRIC BOILER FUMIGATION

METHOD
Electric Boiler Fumigation Method: For Each
1000 cu.ft 500ml of formaldehyde added in
1000ml of water in an electric boiler. Switch
on the boiler, leave the room and seal the
door. After 45 minutes switch off the boiler
without entering in to the room.
POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE
METHOD
Potassium Permanganate Method: For
every 1000 cubic feet add 450gm of
Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to 500
ml of formaldehyde. Take about 5 to 8
bowels with equally divided parts of
formaldehyde and add equally divided
KMnO4 to each bowel. This will cause auto
boiling and generate fume.
 NEUTRALIZATION

• After the initiation of formaldehyde vapour

immediately leave the room and seal it for at
least 48 hours
• Neutralize residual formalin gas with Ammonia
by exposing 250ml of Ammonia per litre of
Formaldehyde used.
• Place the Ammonia solution in the centre of
the room and leave it for 3 hours to neutralize
formalin vapour
CALCULATION OF REQUIRED
QUANTITY OF FORMALDEHYDE
• Lab vol required volume=
L×W×H=20×15×10= 3000 cubicfeet
• Formaldehyde required for fumigation=500ml
for 1000 cubic feet
• 1500ml Formaldehyde required
• Ammonia Required for neutralisation=150ml of
10% ammonia for 500ml of formaldehyde
• 450ml of 10% ammonia required
ENGINEERING CONTROLS

Always to be stored and used inside a

gas cabinet.
 FIRST AID PROCEDURES

• If inhaled
• Call medical doctor or poison control center
immediately. Move exposed person to fresh air. If
not breathing, if breathing is irregular or if
respiratory arrest occurs, provide artificial
respiration or oxygen by trained personnel. Loosen
tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.
Get medical attention immediately.
 FIRST AID PROCEDURES

• In case of eye contact

• Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately
flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get
medical attention immediately.
• If swallowed
• As this product is a gas, refer to the inhalation section.
 PREPARATION FOR FUMIGATION

 First the area intended to be fumigated is usually

covered to create a sealed environment.
 The fumigant is released into the space to be
fumigated.
 The space is held for a set period while the
fumigant gas percolates through the space and
acts on and kills any infestation.
 The space is neutralised & ventilated so that the
poisonous gases are allowed to escape from the
space, and render it safe for humans to enter
 Windows, doors should be closed. AC and AHU
should
be switched off before starting fumigation.
 Area under fumigation, do not enter status label
should be displayed on either side of the
entrance.
 Fumigants are irritating and toxic
to human eye, nose
and throat. Therefore use of nose
mask and goggles while
doing fumigation is
 Under certain conditions formaldehyde can react
with hydrochloric acid and chlorine containing
disinfectants such as hypochlorites to form
chloromethyl a potential lung carcinogen.
 HCl and chlorine containing disinfectants must
therefore
be removed from areas before fumigation.
 Check levels of residual fumigant in the room
with suitable air monitoring
equipment(formaldameter or air sampling
tubes).
 The procedure is best carried out overnight.
  OT is usable only when the level of formaldehyde
is less than 2ppm.

After a period of
not less than12
hours the room must
have be ventilated

Formaldemete
r
 PERSONAL CARE WHILE
FUMIGATION

Adequate care must be taken by wearing

cap, mask,foot cover, spectacles.
 Formaldehyde is irritant to eye &
nose; and it has been recognized as potential
carcinogen.
 Immediately leave the room after
the initiation of fumigants.
 So the fumigating employee must
be provided with personal protective
 ADVANTAGES OF
FUMIGATION

Fumigants are toxic to all formsof life. Therefore, it

is
possible to control all life stages of Micro organisms.
 Fumigation is often the quickest way
of controlling an
infestation, saving time and money.

 Fumigants can reach where sprays,

dusts, aerosols etc cannot reach.
.
 ADVANTAGES OF FUMIGATION

• Reduced residue problems in treated areas.

•  Fumigants are used where

standards call for"zero Microbial tolerance" in
products or living environments
 DISADVANTAGES OF
FUMIGATION
Generally Formaldehyde is used for OT fumigation.
 Based on the available evidence in OSHA’s record on
Formaldehyde, it determines formaldehyde as isgenotoxic,
showing properties of both a cancer initiator and
promoter.
 In humans formaldehyde exposure has been associated
with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and nasal
passages.
 Symptoms of excessive exposure include respiratory
irritation, itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and
 FORMALDEHYDE
ALLERGY

Formaldehyde allergy symptoms include

• redness, burning sensation, scaling and irritation of
skin.
• Eye contact can cause pain, burning sensation,
blurred
• vision and excessive tearing.

• Further, formaldehyde can cause difficulty breathing

in allergic individuals, particularly those with asthma
or another respiratory condition.
 ALTERNATIVE OF
FORMALDEHYDE.

 Fumigation is obsoletein many

developed nations in
view of toxic nature of Formalin.

 Aldehydes are potentially carcinogenic and it is

therefore recommended that other agents such as
hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide with silver
nitrate, peracitic acid and other chemical
compounds of formaldehyde should be used in
place of the currently prevalent practice of using
 KEY MESSAGES

• Fumigation is essential in controlling microbial infections in

sensitive environments like laboratory
• Common fumigants include formaldehyde, which requires specific
conditions to be effective.
• The fumigation process involves careful preparation, execution,
and ventilation to ensure safety.
• Health risks associated with formaldehyde, including carcinogenic
effects, necessitate protective measures and alternative methods.
• There is a growing trend towards using less toxic alternatives to
traditional fumigants, reflecting evolving safety standards.
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