Medical Device Cleaning and Biocompatibility Data
Q. What types of biocompatibility data does Alconox Inc. provide for detergents commonly used in medical device cleaning validation?
A. Setting residue acceptance limits as part of your medical device cleaning validation is much easier when appropriate biocompatibility data is available about the critical cleaning detergent you are using. To help assess the biological effects of cleaner residues, Alconox Inc. conducted extensive evaluations of biocompatibility of its Liquinox and Citranox detergents.
How to Clean Labware: Don’t Use Grocery Store Detergents
Q. We use grocery store detergents to clean our labware and it recently came to my attention that we may need to switch to a laboratory grade detergent such as Alconox or Liquinox. Why is that necessary?
A. Here are some insights as to why a grocery store detergent is not suitable for use in a lab…
Cleaning Pipettes in the Laboratory
Q. What are some best practices for lab cleaning of pipettes. We’re having trouble in our lab removing dried on residues.
A. The principal concern for any scientist or technician working in the laboratory is that glassware, like pipettes, be free of interfering residues after they are cleaned. Unseen residues can wreak havoc on analytical results by inhibiting culture growth, causing cross contamination, non-reproducible results and more.
Is Liquinox Drain Safe?
Q. In reviewing the SDS for Liquinox, we noticed that it says “Should not be released into the environment. Prevent from reaching drains, sewer or waterway.” How do you recommend we rinse components if Liquinox should not reach the drain?
A. The section you mention in the SDS for Liquinox® Critical Cleaning Liquid Detergent , 6.1, refers to untreated drains (i.e. the street) and other direct-to-environment pathways. The drains from labs, manufacturing plants and the like will have septic and/or treatment processes prior to the environment. In fact, we often…
Cleaning Carbon Tool Steel
Q. How to clean mild tool steel tablet press punches and dies?
A. Mild tool steel, sometimes called S7, will flash rush during rinsing, particularly if you rinse with hot water. All the cleaners that have good chelating agents (all but Luminox and Detergent 8) can safely clean tool steel because the chelating agents tie up the iron oxide and do not let it auto-catalytically expand and form rust.