Premium
Residual Disinfection of Wool Blankets Treated with Formaldehyde
Author(s) -
Alder V. G.,
Boss Eleanor,
Gillespie W. A.,
Swann Angela J.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1971.tb01012.x
Subject(s) - disinfectant , formaldehyde , wool , irritation , contamination , pulp and paper industry , waste management , skin irritation , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , medicine , materials science , biology , composite material , dermatology , ecology , organic chemistry , immunology , engineering
SUMMARY: Treatment with formaldehyde during laundering conferred a persistent residual disinfectant action on wool blankets but not on cotton ones. The former was shown by a slower rate of bacterial contamination of blankets during use or by the more rapid disappearance of nonsporing bacteria from contaminated blankets during storage. The formaldehyde treated blankets had no perceptible odour during use, and did not cause irritation of the skin or mucous membranes. It is suggested that the formaldehyde treatment of wool blankets might be worthy of trial as a means of reducing bacterial contamination in rooms occupied by patients with a high risk of infection.