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Automated Fumigation and Neutralization Systems for Formaldehyde Gas

Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 934 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605; Phone: (706) 546-3443; FAX: (706) 546-3161

Correspondence: B. W. Mitchell, E-mail:bmitchell{at}seprl.usda.gov

Formaldehyde gas fumigation has been recognized for many years as an effective decontamination procedure to sterilize a variety of airborne and surface microorganisms. Although automated systems are commercially available to generate formaldehyde gas, they tend to be very expensive and more complicated than is necessary for many applications. Also, they do not provide any means of assuring that gas levels are safe for occupancy by personnel following a treatment. Over a period of several years, areas in approximately 15 buildings at the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, GA have been decontaminated with a very basic, manually mixed, formaldehyde gas generation system. The decontamination was followed by several hours of mechanical clearing of the gas, using remotely operated exhaust fans. Interest in maximizing worker safety and providing simple and affordable fumigation led to the design of the automated systems described in this paper - one for formaldehyde gas generation, the other for formaldehyde gas neutralization. Proper use of these systems minimizes formaldehyde exposure risk for workers. Both systems can be easily constructed, and they have been used successfully for several years.

Key Words: Bio-safety • decontamination • fumigation • sterilization