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BS EN 17272 : 2020 – Assessment of Biocidal Activity of Automated Airborne Room Disinfection Processes
EN 17272 specifies a test method to determine microbicidal activity of airborne surface disinfection processes. These processes involve the dispersal of biocidal agents in the form of gas, aerosols or vapors in closed spaces to maintain a sterile environment.
EN 17272 test is applied to disinfection processes that claim to possess bactericidal, mycobactericidal, sporicidal, fungicidal, yeasticidal, virucidal, and phagocidal action.
Airborne surface disinfection processes can be employed to following areas –
- medical area
- veterinary area
- food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas
EN 17272 Test Conditions and Requirements (In given table R designates log reduction values) :
Test microorganisms | Intended areas of application | |||||
Medical area | R | Veterinary area | R | Food, industrial, institutional, domestic area | R | |
Bacteria | Staphylococcus aureus Enterococcus hirae Escherichia coli Acinetobacter baumannii | 5 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus Enterococcus hirae Proteus hauseri | 5 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus Enterococcus hirae Escherichia coli | 5 |
Bacterial spores | Bacillus subtilis | 4 | Bacillus subtilis | 3 | Bacillus subtilis | 3 |
Fungi and yeast | Candida albicans Aspergillus brasiliensis | 4 | Candida albicans Aspergillus brasiliensis | 4 | Candida albicans Aspergillus brasiliensis | 4 |
Mycobacteria | Mycobacterium avium Mycobacterium terrae | 4 | Mycobacterium avium | 4 | Mycobacterium avium Mycobacterium terrae | 4 |
Virus | Murine norovirus Human adenovirus | 4 | – | – | Murine norovirus Human adenovirus | 4 |
Bacteriophages | – | – | – | – | Lactobacillus lactis P001 Lactobacillus lactis P008 | 4 |
EN 17272 Test Method
EN 17272 method consists of two parts –
Efficacy test
- Microbial suspension with interfering substances are spread on stainless steel (test carriers) and allowed to air dry.
- Dried test carriers are exposed to an automated airborne disinfection process under conditions outlined in standard.
- After airborne disinfection contact time (ADC), carriers are transferred into a recovery solution to determine surviving bacteria, mycobacteria, bacterial spores, yeasts, fungal spores, viruses or bacteriophages. Mechanical action such as scraping or sonication can be done to effectively separate microbes from glass carriers.
- For bacteria, mycobacteria, bacterial spores, fungal spores and yeasts, recovery solution is diluted and plated on agar media and microbicidal efficacy is expressed in log reduction. Whereas, viruses and bacteriophages, diluted recovery solution is incubated on cell lines and cytopathic effect is determined.
Distribution test
Distribution test is similar to efficacy testing, except that it is conducted for one test organism Staphylococcus aureus. 8 test carriers are placed in the four corners of the room at specified positions and airborne disinfection contact times (ADC). To claim efficacy, 5 log reduction values must be achieved after the disinfection process.
Importance of EN 17272 Test
In closed spaces, concentration of pathogens tends to increase due to limited air circulation and inadequate ventilation. This elevated accumulation of microorganisms can result in transmission of infection and outbreaks. To address this, automated airborne room disinfection processes are implemented in susceptible areas like health care settings, public spaces and other similar environments to eliminate airborne pathogens.
EN 17272 standard sets guidelines and criteria for evaluating efficacy of automated airborne room disinfection processes. EN 17272 intends to evaluate the disinfection processes under practical conditions by simulating real-life airborne disinfection scenarios within laboratory settings. The purpose of EN 17272 test is to ensure the establishment of a safe and sterile environment in actual situations.
MIS offers an extensive range of microbiology testing services that adhere to international standards.
With our cutting-edge facilities and highly skilled professionals, we design and execute EN 17272 tests based on product specifications and claims. Our expert team is ready to assess and help you optimize the performance of your automated airborne disinfection systems, ensuring it meets the highest standards of effectiveness.
To get EN 17272 testing services, talk to our experts today.
FAQs
EN 17272 is a widely used standard to evaluate biocidal action of automated airborne disinfection systems. It determines the efficacy of systems against a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, mycobacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, yeast, viruses, and bacteriophages. To meet compliance to EN 17272 standard, test results must achieve log reduction values given in the above table.
EN 17272 test is applicable for automated airborne disinfection systems implemented in medical, veterinary, food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas.
EN 17272 test method can take 3-4 weeks to complete.
At Microbe Investigations, we test for EN 17272 using the following microbial strains –
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), Candida Albicans (MTCC 3017), Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888), Human Adenovirus type 5 (ATCC VR-5),Murine Norovirus (FLI S99). Additional strains can be added on customer’s request.
Contact us for more information
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