Cross-contamination is a very serious issue in animal laboratories. It not only interferes with the accuracy and reliability of experimental results but may even lead to experimental failures, severely hindering the progress of scientific research work. As a professional manufacturer in the field of purification equipment and cleanroom engineering, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. will deeply analyze for you how to effectively reduce the risk of cross-contamination in animal laboratories with the help of purification equipment.

Sources of Cross-Contamination in Animal Laboratories

Airborne Transmission

In animal laboratories, the breathing, excreta of experimental animals, and experimental operations can all cause a large number of microorganisms, dust particles, and odorous gases to suspend in the air. If the ventilation system cannot effectively filter and discharge these pollutants, they will circulate continuously indoors, thereby causing cross-contamination. For example, the air exhaled by an experimental animal infected with a specific pathogen may be inhaled by other healthy animals, resulting in the spread of the disease.

Contamination Carried by Items

All kinds of items entering the animal laboratory, such as feed, bedding, and experimental equipment, are likely to carry microorganisms into the laboratory if they are not strictly disinfected and sterilized. Moreover, during the experiment, if items from different areas are used interchangeably at will, it is also easy to cause cross-contamination. For instance, if used surgical instruments are used in other animal experiments without thorough disinfection, the pathogens on the previous animal may be transmitted to the next one.

Personnel Movement

Experimental personnel shuttling between different experimental areas may carry microorganisms on their clothes, shoes, and skin, thus introducing these microorganisms into different areas and causing cross-contamination. In addition, if personnel do not follow the correct operating procedures during the experimental operation, it may also lead to the spread of contamination. For example, if an experimental staff member enters the clean experimental area from the infectious experimental area without changing their work clothes, they may bring pathogens into the clean area.

The Key Role of Purification Equipment in Reducing Cross-Contamination

Air Purification Equipment

• High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA): It can filter out dust particles, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms larger than 0.3 microns in the air, with a filtration efficiency of over 99.97%. Installed in the ventilation system, it can effectively purify the air entering the laboratory, reduce the concentration of pollutants in the air, and decrease the risk of cross-contamination caused by airborne transmission. For example, installing a HEPA filter at the ventilation outlet of the experimental animal breeding area can ensure that the air entering the breeding area is clean and protect the experimental animals from external pathogens.
• Activated Carbon Filter: It can adsorb odorous gases and some harmful chemical substances in the air, improving the air quality in the laboratory. If the odor gases such as ammonia generated by animal excreta are not removed in time, it will not only affect the working environment of experimental personnel but may also have an adverse impact on the health of experimental animals. The activated carbon filter can effectively adsorb these odorous gases, creating a comfortable experimental environment.
• Air Disinfection Equipment: Such as ultraviolet disinfection lamps and hydrogen peroxide disinfectors. Ultraviolet disinfection lamps achieve the purpose of sterilization by irradiating ultraviolet rays to destroy the DNA structure of microorganisms; hydrogen peroxide disinfectors use the strong oxidizing property of hydrogen peroxide to kill microorganisms in the air. Disinfecting the laboratory air after the experiment or regularly can effectively reduce the microbial content in the air and prevent cross-contamination.

Water Purification Equipment

If the drinking water of experimental animals is contaminated, it will also become a source of cross-contamination. Water purification equipment can remove impurities, microorganisms, and harmful chemical substances in the water through multi-stage filtration and disinfection treatment, providing clean drinking water for experimental animals. For example, water purification equipment using reverse osmosis technology can effectively remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metal ions, etc. in the water, ensuring the safety of the drinking water for experimental animals.

Surface Disinfection Equipment

The surfaces of experimental benches, cages, equipment, etc. need to be disinfected regularly. Surface disinfection equipment such as disinfectant wipes and spray disinfectants can conveniently and quickly disinfect these surfaces, killing the possible existing microorganisms and preventing cross-contamination. In addition, there are specialized cage cleaning and disinfection equipment that can clean and disinfect cages with high temperature and high pressure to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the cages.

Waste Treatment Equipment

The waste generated in animal laboratories, such as animal carcasses, excreta, and discarded bedding, is extremely likely to cause the spread of pollution if not properly disposed of. Waste treatment equipment such as incinerators and autoclaves can harmlessly treat these wastes. Incinerators completely destroy the waste through high-temperature incineration; autoclaves use high temperature and high pressure to kill the microorganisms in the waste, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Solutions of Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd.

Customized Purification Systems

Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. can customize personalized purification systems according to the scale, layout, and experimental requirements of animal laboratories. From air purification, water purification to waste treatment, we provide one-stop solutions to ensure that each link can effectively reduce the risk of cross-contamination. For example, for small animal laboratories, we can design a compact and efficient purification system, including small air purification units, desktop water purification equipment, and small waste treatment devices to meet the basic purification needs of the laboratory; for large animal experiment centers, we can provide comprehensive and large-scale purification projects, covering central air purification systems, centralized water purification facilities, and large waste treatment equipment to ensure the environmental safety of the entire experiment center.

High-Quality Purification Equipment

The purification equipment provided by our company is manufactured using advanced technology and high-quality materials, featuring high efficiency, stability, and durability. For example, the HEPA filters used in our air purification equipment have a filtration efficiency far exceeding industry standards, enabling more effective filtration of pollutants in the air; our water purification equipment uses advanced membrane filtration technology to ensure that the water quality meets high standards; our waste treatment equipment has passed strict quality inspections and can safely and thoroughly treat various types of waste.

Professional Installation and After-Sales Service

We have a professional installation team that can ensure the installation quality of purification equipment, enabling it to perform at its best. At the same time, we also provide comprehensive after-sales services, including regular maintenance, repair, and technical consultation of the equipment. Our after-sales team is on standby at all times, able to respond promptly to customer needs and solve problems that occur during the operation of the equipment, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the purification system.

The risk of cross-contamination in animal laboratories cannot be ignored, and purification equipment plays a crucial role in reducing cross-contamination. With rich experience, professional technology, and high-quality products, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. can provide comprehensive and reliable purification solutions for your animal laboratory, helping your scientific research work to proceed smoothly. If you have related needs, please feel free to contact us.