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Evaluation of Diperadipic Acid as a Surface Decontaminant for Spore-Forming Biological Agents
Citation:
Calfee, W., D. Touati, AND M. Karnik. Evaluation of Diperadipic Acid as a Surface Decontaminant for Spore-Forming Biological Agents. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-18/157, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
An environmental contamination incident involving an infectious or contagious biological agent may pose significant risks to human health. Currently, there are a limited number of sporicidal chemicals that are approved for use against Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Characterization of potential decontamination options, ahead of a contamination incident, are important to ensure response and remediation operations initiate promptly. The current laboratory-scale study was undertaken to evaluate the decontamination efficacy of diperadipic acid, under application conditions that were found to be effective for pH-adjusted bleach (a common sporicidal liquid).
Description:
This report chronicles the study undertaken to evaluate the decontamination efficacy of diperadipic acid, under application conditions that were found to be effective for pH-adjusted bleach (a common sporicidal liquid). The results showed that diperadipic acid demonstrated >6 Log Reduction on glass surfaces, but <2 Log Reduction on concrete. Like studies with pH-adjusted bleach, viable spores were found in runoff samples, indicating that relocation of contaminants from surfaces may be possible during decontamination.