Viable alternatives to glutaraldehyde for reg disinfection?

[Deac in the Wake]

I've seen manufacturer recommendations for glutaraldehyde solution for reg disinfection ranging from 1-4%. I'm wary of glutaraldehyde's side effects (skin rash, burning, lung irritation, colitis) and am interested in a less-toxic alternative. I know glutaraldehyde is effective disinfectant and that alternatives are likely to be less effective but I'm curious if anyone out there has another viable choice for regulator disinfection.

 

[Fishpie]

Sodium Metabisulphite.

 

[Deac in the Wake]

Thought of that but if I'm recalling my chemistry correctly, sodium metabisulphite releases sulfur dioxide when in contact with water.

I think I'm going to end up just using hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

 

[Couv]

Ive always used chlorine bleach and water: 1-3 tablespoons of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water. Let sit for a few minutes, then rinse.

....but from reading your post, I am thinking you are already familiar with the above but feel it is not adequate. Or there is another reason not to use my wife's kitchen chemistry?

c

 

[DepthCharge]

I've seen manufacturer recommendations for glutaraldehyde solution for reg disinfection ranging from 1-4%. I'm wary of glutaraldehyde's side effects (skin rash, burning, lung irritation, colitis) and am interested in a less-toxic alternative. I know glutaraldehyde is effective disinfectant and that alternatives are likely to be less effective but I'm curious if anyone out there has another viable choice for regulator disinfection.

Do a search for Vikron,,,,,,,,,,,used to disinfect RB's

 

[snowflake4727]

I have a friend who uses mouthwash on his rebreather. I am not sure the brand, but he said it was cheaper than rebreather disinfectant and made his RB taste minty.

 

[osanties]

I think I'm going to end up just using hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

Hey Deac in the wake; in my humble opinion Hydrogen Peroxide will not be such a good idea. Hydrogen peroxide tends to produce hydroxy free radicals upon decomposition. I don't know the exact chemistry of all the materials in the regulator but free radicals are usually initiators of polymerization, as well as decomposition of many chemicals. To add to that H2O2(Hydrogen peroxide) is also a fairly moderate oxidant, even more than free chlorine, and that can't be any good either. As mentioned in one of the post above use a very diluted solution of bleach and that should be fine. try to avoid alcoholic solvents beacuse they can strip rubber components of protective oils shortening their life and making you equipment fail quickly. Whichever you decide to use; a very thorough fresh clean water (if can use distilled) rinse will solve all the problems with whichever cleaning method you choose.

Oscar.

 

[ron_cooper]

I am about to get into rebreathers and have searched the net quite a bit about disinfectants. I was told to use Virkon but wanted to check it out myself. Here is a government study that was done for the CF (canadian forces) rebreathers.

http://www.therebreathersite.nl/04_Links/Downloads/disinfectant.pdf

Hope you find it useful. It also compared Listerine, which was mentioned.

Ron Cooper

 

[Deac in the Wake]

Excellent point, osanties. I blame those grass-roots movements in the 60's for all that damn free radical talk.

I was thinking of this primarily from a health-safety issue and H2O2 is less toxic than glutaraldehyde in terms of ingestion and/or skin contact, in therapeutic concentrations. Obviously consideration has to be given for polymerization consequences on regulator substances. In terms of alcohol, I was thinking more of applications limited to the mouthpiece only which will have the same risk of chemolysis as if applied to the regulator as well but not as costly since a mouthpiece has a finite lifecycle. Nonetheless, why wear it out early?

I've heard of Virkon but didn't even think of it in this regard. I will definitely check it out. Thanks Ron.

 

[Rick Inman]

Do a search for Vikron,,,,,,,,,,,used to disinfect RB's

It's what I use on my CCR. Never thought of it for regs, but why not? Actually it does get sprayed into my bailout reg (attached to my ccr mouthpiece) with every cleaning.