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IG036: Manual Sanitization of Equipment Used in Animal Research

IACUC Guideline Number: IG036, Approved By: IACUC, Approval Date: 8/14/2025, Version: 1

As outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, sanitation of materials that come into direct contact with laboratory animals, as well as monitoring of these sanitation practices, is essential. While most animal equipment is sanitized using automated cage washing or autoclave equipment, it may be necessary for certain items to be processed using alternative methods. It is important that the method of sanitation is well defined, and periodic evaluation is performed to ensure that sanitation standards are met. This evaluation may include visual inspection and microbiologic monitoring. The IACUC has established guidance to assist researchers with the cleaning process for all equipment that cannot be cleaned by cage washing or autoclave. These guidelines are relevant for groups conducting behavioral studies or housing animals in satellite facilities.

For this guideline, laboratory equipment includes items that have direct contact with animals, including anesthetic induction and euthanasia chambers, behavioral equipment, and stereotaxic frames and other surgical platforms.

It is the laboratory’s responsibility to document proper disinfection of laboratory equipment used.

Sanitization of Equipment

  • Disinfectants are to be used in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and listed on an approved IACUC protocol and/or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
  • Laboratory staff should clean and disinfect equipment after every use and document that sanitation has been completed.
  • Contact surfaces should be wiped clean of debris and sanitized using a disinfectant after each animal, or as often as experimental need allows and as approved in the IACUC animal use protocol.
  • Documentation is to be maintained including each date of equipment sanitization, disinfectant(s) used, and personnel who completed the sanitation. Sanitization records should be kept with the equipment.
  • Alternative disinfectants (those not listed in Table 1) should be validated for effectiveness and added to the IACUC animal use protocol prior to use.
  • NOTE: It may be necessary to obtain sanitization guidance from the equipment manufacturer for sensitive materials. If it is not possible to utilize a method that employs both cleaning and high-level disinfection, this must be described and justified in an approved IACUC protocol.

Validation of Effectiveness

  • Validation of sanitation should be performed at least annually and be evaluated by microbiologic culture or use of organic material detection systems.
  • Validation will be coordinated through post approval monitoring visits or semi-annual facility inspections.
  • Review of testing results will be by CAR veterinary staff and/or Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) personnel.
Table 1: Approved Disinfectants
Disinfectant Concentration Contact Time Expiration
Sani-Cloth®  0.5% ammonium chlorides 2 minutes Follow per container
Bleach 10% solution 10 minutes 24 hrs. from mixing date
Virkon™ 21.41% potassium peroxymonosulfate 10 minutes 7 days from mixing date
Rescue: Ready to Use Liquid 0.5% hydrogen peroxide 1 minute Follow per container
Ethanol 70-85% solution 10 minutes As ethanol evaporates, make sure surface is maintained wet for 10-minute contact time. Follow per container

References

  • Michigan State University Environmental Health and Safety. Disinfection of benchtops and equipment done daily or after equipment is used. https://ehs.msu.edu/lab-clinic/lab-inspect/fa-disinfection.html
  • National Research Council. 2011. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition
  • Rutala, W.A. and Weber, D.J. 2019. Best practices for disinfection of noncritical environmental surfaces and equipment in health care facilities: A bundle approach. American Journal of Infection Control 47: A96-A105