Decontamination equipment and decontamination method

Abstract

This decontamination apparatus is configured to decontaminate at least one of microorganisms and viruses present inside an object to be decontaminated. A filter for removing particles is attached to the inside of the object to be decontaminated. The decontamination apparatus comprises a steam generation part and a pump. The steam generation part is configured to generate steam containing peracetic acid without heating and without releasing mist. The pump is configured to suck the steam from the exhaust side of the filter for removing particles and to supply the steam to the air supply side of the filter for removing particles. This decontamination apparatus is used in a state of being disposed outside the object to be decontaminated.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decontamination apparatus and a decontamination method. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6250491 (Patent Document 1) discloses a decontamination device configured to decontaminate the inside of a biosafety cabinet. This decontamination device uses a mist containing peracetic acid to decontaminate the inside of the biosafety cabinet (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6250491 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A particle removal filter (such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter) may be present inside the object to be decontaminated. Examples of objects to be decontaminated include a safety cabinet, an incubator, an isolator, and an automatic culture device. In this case, the particle removal filter is decontaminated through decontamination of the interior of the object to be decontaminated. When the particle removal filter is decontaminated with a mist containing peracetic acid, as in the decontamination device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the mist quickly turns into vapor when the relative humidity in the decontamination environment is low. However, when the relative humidity exceeds 80%, the evaporation rate of the mist decreases, and the mist does not completely evaporate and remains floating as mist. As a result, the mist is captured by the particle removal filter. When droplets adhere to the particle removal filter and the particle removal filter becomes wet, pressure loss may increase.

[0005] In consideration of these problems, the inventor(s) conceived of decontaminating particle filters with vapor containing peracetic acid rather than mist containing peracetic acid. However, because peracetic acid has a high specific gravity, the vapor supplied to the interior of the object to be decontaminated tends to accumulate at the bottom of the object. Meanwhile, for example, in safety cabinets, particle filters are often located near the ceiling. In such cases, even if vapor containing peracetic acid is supplied to the interior of the object to be decontaminated, the vapor does not pass through the particle filter, which may result in the particle filter not being sufficiently decontaminated.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a decontamination device and a decontamination method that can prevent a situation in which a particle removal filter is not decontaminated despite decontamination being performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A decontamination apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to decontaminate at least one of microorganisms and viruses present inside an object to be decontaminated. A particle removal filter is attached to the inside of the object to be decontaminated. The decontamination apparatus includes a steam generator and a pump. The steam generator is configured to generate steam containing peracetic acid without heating and without emitting mist. The pump is configured to suck the steam from the exhaust side of the particle removal filter and supply the steam to the intake side of the particle removal filter. This decontamination apparatus is used while placed outside the object to be decontaminated.

[0008] In this decontamination device, vapor containing peracetic acid is sucked from the exhaust side of the particle filter and supplied to the intake side of the particle filter. Therefore, with this decontamination device, the vapor containing peracetic acid reliably passes through the particle filter, thereby preventing the particle filter from remaining undecontaminated despite decontamination being performed.

[0009] Furthermore, steam is generated during decontamination, causing an increase in humidity inside the target to be decontaminated. If the temperature inside the target to be decontaminated increases during decontamination, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the target to be decontaminated increases, and condensation may occur inside the target to be decontaminated. The temperature of the pump included in the decontamination apparatus increases during decontamination. Therefore, if the decontamination apparatus (pump) is placed inside the target to be decontaminated, the temperature inside the target to be decontaminated will increase, and condensation may occur inside the target to be decontaminated. The decontamination apparatus according to the present invention is used while placed outside the target to be decontaminated. Therefore, with this decontamination apparatus, the temperature of the pump has almost no effect on the temperature inside the target to be decontaminated, reducing the possibility of condensation occurring inside the target to be decontaminated.

[0010] In the decontamination apparatus, the amount of air sucked by the pump from the exhaust side of the particle filter may be greater than the amount of air supplied by the pump to the intake side of the particle filter.

[0011] As a result, the inside of the object to be decontaminated is put into a negative pressure state. Therefore, with this decontamination apparatus, it is possible to make it difficult for the steam supplied inside the object to be decontaminated to leak outside the object to be decontaminated.

[0012] A decontamination method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for decontaminating at least one of microorganisms and viruses using the decontamination apparatus described above, which includes the steps of placing a Biological Indicator (BI) on the exhaust side of the particle removal filter and confirming the decontamination effect based on the death status of the BI after decontamination.

[0013] According to this decontamination method, the decontamination effect of the particle removal filter can be confirmed based on the annihilation status of BIs.

[0014] A decontamination method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for decontaminating at least one of microorganisms and viruses by using the decontamination apparatus. A gap may be formed in a target to be decontaminated, connecting the inside and outside of the target. This decontamination method includes the steps of: filling the gap when the gap is formed in the target to be decontaminated; and circulating the steam by sucking the steam from the exhaust side of a particle removal filter and supplying the steam to the intake side of the particle removal filter.

[0015] According to this decontamination method, gaps in the target to be decontaminated are cured, so that the inside of the target to be decontaminated can be kept in a negative pressure state during decontamination. As a result, according to this decontamination method, it is possible to make it difficult for steam supplied inside the target to leak to the outside of the target to be decontaminated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a decontamination device and a decontamination method that can prevent a situation in which a particle removal filter is not decontaminated despite decontamination being performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a decontamination system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a decontamination device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the decontamination system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a tank filled with water. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a decontamination procedure for the inside of a safety cabinet. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the decontamination device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steam generating section. [Figure 8] This is a diagram summarizing the values ​​of the thermo-hygrometer during decontamination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0019] [1. Decontamination system configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a decontamination system 10 including a decontamination apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the decontamination system 10 includes the decontamination apparatus 100 and a safety cabinet 200. In the decontamination system 10, the decontamination apparatus 100 is connected to the safety cabinet 200 via pipes 101 and 102. The decontamination apparatus 100 decontaminates, for example, at least one of microorganisms and viruses present inside the safety cabinet 200. In the decontamination system 10, the decontamination apparatus 100 is disposed outside the safety cabinet 200, which is the target of decontamination.

[0020] The safety cabinet 200 is a box-shaped experimental facility for preventing biohazards. An experimenter inserts his or her hand into the work area WA1 to conduct an experiment using, for example, biological materials. The safety cabinet 200 includes a fan 205, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters 210 and 220, and a shutter 250. During an experiment, the fan 205 operates to generate an airflow, which exhausts clean air to the outside through the HEPA filter 210 and supplies clean air to the work area WA1 through the HEPA filter 220. The shutter 250 is configured to be openable and closable.

[0021] The safety cabinet 200 is formed with, for example, communication holes 262, 264, 266, and 268. The communication holes may be dedicated to decontamination, or, for example, a drain section, a vacuum, and a DOP sampling port provided in a general safety cabinet may be used as the communication holes. Each of the communication holes 262, 264, 266, and 268 can be opened and closed. In the example of FIG. 1 , the decontamination apparatus 100 is connected to the communication hole 264 via a pipe 102, and the decontamination apparatus 100 is connected to the communication hole 268 via a pipe 101. That is, the decontamination apparatus 100 is connected to the communication hole 268 in the ceiling of the safety cabinet 200 and the communication hole 264 in the bottom of the safety cabinet 200. The number of communication holes connecting the pipe 102 may be one or more.

[0022] During decontamination, the shutter 250 is closed. Even when the shutter 250 is closed, the interior and exterior of the safety cabinet 200 may not be completely sealed off, and in such cases, a small gap is formed. During decontamination, the gap is covered with masking tape 400 to prevent leakage of the decontamination gas, depending on the degree of leakage. In addition, it is preferable that each of the communication holes 262, 266 is closed.

[0023] Prior to decontamination, a Biological Indicator (BI) 230 is placed in the space above the HEPA filter 210. A BI 240 is placed in the work area WA1. After decontamination is completed, the BIs 230 and 240 are cultured, and the effectiveness of the decontamination is confirmed based on the death status of the BIs 230 and 240.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of decontamination apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 2, decontamination apparatus 100 includes a pump 110 and a steam generating unit 120. Pipes 112 and 114 are connected to pump 110. Pipe 112 is connected to pipe 101. Pump 110 is configured to suck air from the pipe 112 side and supply air to the pipe 114 side.

[0025] The vapor generating unit 120 is configured to generate only vapor containing peracetic acid without heating the medicinal solution 126 or emitting mist. The vapor generating unit 120 includes a container 122, a moisture absorbing member 124, and the medicinal solution 126. The container 122 is, for example, a cylindrical sealed container. The container 122 contains the moisture absorbing member 124 and the medicinal solution 126. The medicinal solution 126 is a liquid drug containing peracetic acid. In other words, the medicinal solution 126 is a peracetic acid formulation. The moisture absorbing member 124 is made of, for example, a porous material. The moisture absorbing member 124 is immersed in the medicinal solution 126. The moisture absorbing member 124 absorbs the medicinal solution 126 in the container 122 by capillary action. In other words, the medicinal solution 126 is soaked in the moisture absorbing member 124. The position and length of the communicating pipes (pipes 114, 116) communicating with the sealed container (container 122) within the sealed container are not particularly limited. However, since it is preferable that the communicating pipes enter the chemical solution 126 and prevent the chemical solution 126 from bubbling, it is preferable that the position and length of the communicating pipes within the sealed container be such that this can be achieved (the tip of the communicating pipe does not enter the chemical solution 126). Furthermore, it is preferable that the tip of the communicating pipe (pipe 114) that introduces air and the tip of the communicating pipe (pipe 116) that exhausts air are separated from each other, that the air flow path is long, and that the tips of the pipes 114, 116 are located in positions that promote the generation of peracetic acid vapor in the moisture absorbent member 124.

[0026] The structure and material of moisture absorbent member 124 are not particularly limited as long as it can be wetted with chemical solution 126 and can efficiently gasify (evaporate) chemical solution 126 by ventilation. For example, moisture absorbent member 124 may be a sheet-like material such as woven fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric, or film, or may be formed by processing it into a pleated or corrugated shape. Porous materials such as silica gel and zeolite may be encapsulated in woven fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric, or film.

[0027] According to the decontamination apparatus 100, the chemical solution 126 is not heated, so decomposition of peracetic acid is suppressed and peracetic acid vapor can be efficiently generated. Furthermore, according to the decontamination apparatus 100, the temperature of the chemical solution 126 containing peracetic acid is maintained at approximately the same temperature as the temperature in the space in which the HEPA filters 210, 220 to be decontaminated are placed, so the possibility of condensation occurring in the space can be suppressed.

[0028] Air is supplied from pump 110 via pipe 114, which promotes evaporation of chemical solution 126 soaked into moisture absorbent member 124. This generates vapor containing peracetic acid (hereinafter also referred to as "peracetic acid vapor"). The peracetic acid vapor is supplied to the inside of safety cabinet 200 via pipe 116. Note that pipe 116 is connected to pipe 102.

[0029] In this way, in the decontamination system 10, the inside of the safety cabinet 200 is decontaminated by peracetic acid vapor. Through the decontamination of the inside of the safety cabinet 200, the HEPA filters 210, 220 are also decontaminated. The reason why decontamination is performed by peracetic acid vapor rather than by a mist containing peracetic acid in the decontamination system 10 will now be explained. That is, the reason why a vaporization method (steam) is used rather than an atomization method (mist) will be explained.

[0030] When HEPA filters 210, 220 are decontaminated with mist containing peracetic acid, the mist is captured by HEPA filters 210, 220. As a result, HEPA filters 210, 220 may become wet with the captured mist, which may increase pressure loss, or the decontamination agent may accelerate deterioration.

[0031] The peracetic acid vapor generated by the vaporization method is not trapped as particles in the HEPA filters 210, 220. Therefore, the problems associated with the atomization method do not occur. For these reasons, the vaporization method is adopted in the decontamination system 10.

[0032] The pump 110 is configured to suck air containing peracetic acid vapor from the exhaust side of the HEPA filter 210 and supply air containing peracetic acid vapor to the intake side of the HEPA filter 210. The amount of air sucked by the pump 110 from the exhaust side of the HEPA filter 210 is greater than the amount of air supplied by the pump 110 to the intake side of the HEPA filter 210. This is achieved, for example, by leaking some of the air in the pipe 102. Because the leaked air contains decontamination gas, it is preferable to adsorb the decontamination gas using a chemical filter such as activated carbon and then release the air to the outside. However, the leak point is not limited to the pipe 102, and it may also be the pump of the pipe 114 or pipe 116.

[0033] Since the amount of air sucked by the pump 110 is greater than the amount of air supplied, the inside of the safety cabinet 200 is in a negative pressure state during decontamination. This makes it possible to prevent peracetic acid vapor from leaking outside the safety cabinet 200.

[0034] When creating a negative pressure state inside the safety cabinet 200, it is preferable not to make the negative pressure too high. If the negative pressure becomes too high, there is a risk that dents may occur in the side walls of the safety cabinet 200.

[0035] To prevent excessive pressure reduction, it is preferable to provide an opening in the safety cabinet 200. For example, communication holes such as communication holes 262 and 266 may be opened, or as shown in FIG. 3, a gap below the shutter 250 may be opened, and a tube 300 may be placed in the gap in the shutter 250. The opening allows communication between the inside and outside of the safety cabinet 200 even during decontamination. The inner diameter of each of the tube 300 and the communication hole is, for example, 1 mm to 3 cm. Furthermore, during decontamination, the gap below the shutter 250, excluding the tube 300, is covered with masking tape 400.

[0036] In the decontamination system 10, an opening is provided in the safety cabinet 200 during decontamination, and air is taken into the safety cabinet 200 through the opening, so that the inside of the safety cabinet 200 does not become too negative pressure.

[0037] Furthermore, to obtain a sufficient decontamination effect, it is necessary to maintain a relatively high humidity level inside the safety cabinet 200. On the other hand, if the humidity level inside the safety cabinet 200 becomes too high, condensation occurs inside the safety cabinet 200. Condensation can cause corrosion of the components inside the safety cabinet 200. In the decontamination system 10, air is taken into the safety cabinet 200 through the tube 300 and the open communication holes 262, 266 (openings), so the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 does not become higher than necessary.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, an openable opening for releasing air circulating inside the safety cabinet 200, the decontamination apparatus 100, and the pipes 101 and 102 can be provided in a portion of the pipes 114, 116, and 102 on the exhaust side of the pump 110. If the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 becomes too high, the air circulating inside can be released from the opening to increase the amount of air taken into the safety cabinet 200 through the tube 300 and the open communication holes 262 and 266 (openings), thereby lowering the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200. It is preferable that the released air is released after the decontamination gas is collected by a chemical filter or the like.

[0039] 4 is placed in the tube 300 or the open communication holes 262, 266. This allows humid air to be introduced into the safety cabinet 200 via the tube 300 or the open communication holes 262, 266, thereby increasing the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200. This is effective when the humidity outside the safety cabinet 200 is low and the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 becomes too low. That is, the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 can be controlled by using the openings of the tube 300 or the open communication holes 262, 266. Note that, if an increased amount of air is introduced into the safety cabinet 200 via the tube 300 or the open communication holes 262, 266, the concentration of peracetic acid vapor decreases. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of air introduced into the safety cabinet 200 via the tube 300 or the open communication holes 262, 266 be, for example, 3% or less of the amount of air circulating within the decontamination system 10.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fan 205 is stopped during decontamination because if the fan 205 operates and generates heat, the temperature of the air inside the safety cabinet 200 will rise, which may cause condensation.

[0041] [2. Decontamination Procedures] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a decontamination procedure for the inside of the safety cabinet 200. Each step shown in this flowchart is performed by an operator.

[0042] 5, the operator places the BIs 230 and 240 inside the safety cabinet 200 (step S100). The operator connects the decontamination apparatus 100 to the safety cabinet 200 using pipes 101 and 102 (step S110). If necessary, the operator creates openings in the safety cabinet 200 and covers gaps with masking tape 400 (step S120). The operator activates the decontamination apparatus 100 to start decontamination inside the safety cabinet 200 (step S130).

[0043] The operator determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S140). The operator waits until the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S140). Once the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S140), the operator checks the decontamination effect based on the annihilation status of BIs 230 and 240 (step S150). When the annihilation of BIs 230 and 240 has been confirmed, decontamination of the inside of safety cabinet 200 is completed.

[0044] [3. Features] As described above, in the decontamination apparatus 100, vapor containing peracetic acid is sucked in from the exhaust side of the HEPA filter 210, and the vapor is supplied to the intake side of the HEPA filter 210. If the peracetic acid vapor were not sucked in, the peracetic acid vapor supplied to the inside of the safety cabinet 200 would tend to accumulate at the bottom inside the safety cabinet 200 due to the large specific gravity of peracetic acid. If the peracetic acid vapor accumulates at the bottom of the safety cabinet 200, the peracetic acid vapor will not pass through the HEPA filter 210, which may result in the HEPA filter 210 not being sufficiently decontaminated.

[0045] As described above, in the decontamination apparatus 100, peracetic acid vapor is sucked from the exhaust side of the HEPA filter 210, and peracetic acid vapor is supplied to the intake side of the HEPA filter 210. Therefore, according to the decontamination apparatus 100, the peracetic acid vapor reliably passes through the HEPA filter 210, and it is possible to prevent the HEPA filter 210 from remaining undecontaminated despite decontamination being performed.

[0046] Furthermore, during decontamination, the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 increases due to the evaporation of the aqueous solution containing peracetic acid. If the temperature inside the safety cabinet 200 increases during decontamination, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the safety cabinet 200 increases, and condensation may occur inside the safety cabinet 200. The temperature of the pump 110 included in the decontamination apparatus 100 increases during decontamination. Therefore, if the pump 110 were placed inside the safety cabinet 200, the temperature inside the safety cabinet 200 would increase, and condensation may occur inside the safety cabinet 200. In contrast, the decontamination apparatus 100 is used while placed outside the safety cabinet 200. Therefore, according to the decontamination apparatus 100, the temperature of the pump 110 has almost no effect on the temperature inside the safety cabinet 200, thereby reducing the possibility of condensation occurring inside the safety cabinet 200.

[0047] [4. Modifications] Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Modifications will be described below.

[0048] <4-1> In the above embodiment, the particle removal filters placed inside the safety cabinet 200 are the HEPA filters 210 and 220. However, the particle removal filters placed inside the safety cabinet 200 are not limited to this. The particle removal filters to be decontaminated may be, for example, a medium-performance filter or a ULPA filter.

[0049] <4-2> In the above embodiment, the decontamination target is the safety cabinet 200. However, the decontamination target is not limited to this. For example, the decontamination target may be any container that can accommodate a particle removal filter inside. The decontamination target may be sealed or semi-sealed. A semi-sealed state refers to a state that is close to being sealed but not completely sealed. For example, this refers to a state in which the air inside and outside the safety cabinet 200 is blocked to a certain level, and the concentration of peracetic acid vapor does not decrease drastically due to leakage of peracetic acid vapor. For example, the decontamination target may be an isolator device, an incubator, a centrifuge, a pass box, a storage facility, air conditioning equipment, a clean bench, a duct, etc.

[0050] <4-3> 2, the air flows from the safety cabinet 200 to the pump 110, the steam generating unit 120, and back to the safety cabinet 200. However, the order of air flow is not limited to this. For example, the air may flow from the safety cabinet 200 to the steam generating unit 120, the pump 110, and back to the safety cabinet 200.

[0051] <4-4> The structure of the vapor generating unit 120 may be any structure that generates peracetic acid vapor without generating mist. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a stirring fan F1 to promote vaporization may be installed in the vapor generating unit 120A, and if vaporization is sufficient, the porous body 124 may be omitted. The structure of the vapor generating unit 120 may also be as shown in FIG. 7. That is, in the vapor generating unit 120B, the moisture absorbing member 124B absorbs the chemical solution 126B by capillary action. Air introduced into the vapor generating unit 120B via the pipe 114B causes the peracetic acid vapor (gas) to flow toward the pipe 116B. The peracetic acid vapor is introduced into the safety cabinet 200 via the pipe 116B.

[0052] <4-5> The pump 110 may be any pump capable of sucking and discharging air and circulating air in accordance with the present invention. Examples of the pump include centrifugal blowers, axial flow blowers, mixed flow blowers, cross flow blowers, diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, and plunger pumps, and the structure and size of the pump 110 are not particularly limited.

[0053] [5. Experiment] In order to confirm the effects of the present invention, the following experiment was carried out. The details and results of the experiment will be explained below.

[0054] In this experiment, a decontamination system 10 shown in Figure 1 was prepared. The safety cabinet 200 was a PHC Corporation MHE-181AB3, which was installed in a location that was not directly exposed to the air conditioning in the room. The chemical solution 126 (Figure 2) was Mincare, manufactured by Cantel. The BI230 and BI240 were HMV-091, manufactured by MesaLab, with a bacterial count of 10 6 As the culture medium for BI230 and 240, PM / 100 manufactured by MesaLab was used. As a thermo-hygrometer for measuring the temperature and humidity inside the safety cabinet 200, a temperature and humidity logger LR5001 manufactured by Hioki Corporation was used.

[0055] The decontamination apparatus 100 and the safety cabinet 200 were connected using pipes 101 and 102 so that air was sucked from the downstream side of the HEPA filter 210 and supplied into the safety cabinet 200 from the drain section. The safety cabinet 200 was covered, and the communication holes 262 and 266 were closed to create a semi-sealed state inside the safety cabinet 200. A tube 300 was attached to the gap in the safety cabinet 200. With a pressure gauge attached to the tube 300, the pump 110 was operated. The needle of the pressure gauge moved toward the negative pressure. A flow meter was also attached to the tube 300 to measure the flow rate. The flow rate was 5 ml / min.

[0056] Mincare (peracetic acid content 4.5%) diluted with pure water was used as the chemical solution 126. The dilution ratio was 10%. A cylindrical airtight container with an inner diameter of approximately 200 mm and a height of approximately 300 mm was used as the container 122. 1 L of the chemical solution 126 was placed in the container 122. A cylindrical moisture absorbent member 124 was also placed along the inner circumference of the container 122.

[0057] BI230, 240 were placed above HEPA filter 210 and in work area WA1, respectively. After decontamination, BI230, 240 were cultured.

[0058] The circulation flow rate of the pump 110 was 120 L / min. The decontamination time was 185 minutes. After 3 hours, the humidity inside the safety cabinet 200 was RH 94%.

[0059] Figure 8 is a diagram summarizing the values ​​of the thermo-hygrometer during decontamination. Referring to Figure 8, points P1 indicate the humidity in work area WA1, and points P2 indicate the humidity above HEPA filter 210. Points P3 indicate the temperature in work area WA1, and points P4 indicate the temperature above HEPA filter 210. No condensation occurred inside safety cabinet 200 in this experiment.

[0060] After decontamination, BI230 and BI240 were cultured. All of the BI230 and BI240 were dead (negative). Furthermore, since the pump 110 was placed outside the safety cabinet 200, no temperature rise was observed inside the safety cabinet 200. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Decontamination system, 100 Decontamination equipment, 101, 102, 112, 114, 116 Pipe, 110 Pump, 120 Steam generation unit, 122 Container, 124 Moisture absorbing material, 126 Chemical solution, 200 Safety cabinet, 205 Fan, 210, 220 HEPA filter, 230, 240 BI, 250 Shutter, 262, 264, 266, 268 Communication hole, 300 Tube, 400 Masking tape, P1, P2, P3, P4 points, WA1 Work area.

Claims

1. A decontamination device configured to decontaminate at least one of microorganisms and viruses present inside a target to be decontaminated, wherein a particle removal filter is attached inside the target to be decontaminated, A steam generating unit configured to generate steam containing peracetic acid without heating and without emitting mist; a pump configured to draw the vapor from an exhaust side of the particle filter and to supply the vapor to an intake side of the particle filter; Equipped with The vapor generating unit has a moisture absorbing member impregnated with a liquid chemical containing peracetic acid, and is configured such that air is supplied to the moisture absorbing member by the pump, causing the liquid chemical to evaporate and generate the vapor; The decontamination apparatus is used while being placed outside the object to be decontaminated.

2. A decontamination device having a particle removal filter attached to the inside of an object to be decontaminated, and configured to decontaminate at least one of microorganisms and viruses present inside the object to be decontaminated, A steam generating unit configured to generate steam containing peracetic acid without heating and without emitting mist; a pump configured to draw the vapor from an exhaust side of the particle filter and to supply the vapor to an intake side of the particle filter; Equipped with The vapor generating unit includes a liquid chemical containing peracetic acid and an agitating fan for promoting vaporization of the liquid chemical, The decontamination apparatus is used while being placed outside the object to be decontaminated.

3. 3. The decontamination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of air sucked by the pump from the exhaust side of the particle filter is greater than the amount of air supplied by the pump to the intake side of the particle filter.

4. A decontamination method for decontaminating at least one of microorganisms and viruses by using the decontamination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, placing a Biological Indicator (BI) on the exhaust side of the particle removal filter; A step of confirming the decontamination effect based on the death status of the BI after decontamination; A decontamination method comprising:

5. A decontamination method for decontaminating at least one of microorganisms and viruses by using the decontamination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A gap is formed in the target to be decontaminated, which allows the inside and outside of the target to be communicated with each other, curing the gap; circulating the vapor by drawing the vapor from an exhaust side of the particle filter and supplying the vapor to an intake side of the particle filter; A decontamination method comprising:

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