Depolymerization and Neutralization of Residual Paraformaldehyde Following Enclosure Sterilization Procedures

Hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide were found to be excellent reagents for neutralizing residual formaldehyde following enclosure sterilization procedures. In Plexiglas enclosure experiments, both reagents were shown to be capable of reducing formaldehyde vapor concentrations below the toxic concentration, 0.007 mg/liter, in a practical time period. Other neutralizing reagents examined--ozone, chlorine, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide--were considerably less effective than hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide. Attempts to prevent the polymerization of formaldehyde on the enclosure surface were unsuccessful. (Modified author abstract)