Laminar Flow Hood - basic question (Aug/31/2005 )
In our lab with out opening the glass,blower will not function its from HERA safe its not a matter of blower on or off no problm when uv light is functioning if its our choice ok
Dear Karyotyper,
Have been in the labs nearly 30 years and have not used UV in all that time. Have done Cell culture on the bench with bunsen burners.....no contamination worries, then progressed to Laminar flow cabinets......again no contamination worries.... then finally to Class II containment cabinets... again no worries without UV.
As stated earlier the major manufacturers no longer recommend UV for keeping cabinets clean....... and in the "interests of objective Science"..... it has not stopped us ( our old departments )getting the Nobel prize.... on 2 seperate occasions (1982 and 1988).
Hi again Rhombus.
Sorry, I'm not trying to be disrespectful if you have interpreted it that way. Its just that there has been several comments in this thread (and others) that UV lamps need to be changed regularly to be effective. If this is true it should be able to be quantified. Whether or not people still want to use these lamps is another issue. I was just wondering what the output of a lamp supposedly needs to be to maintain sterility?
I know our lamps are old and I can measure their output. That way either,
(i) I can provide interested members with a definite answer as to how long a lamp can run for it to remain effective (what's the point of throwing out a lamp if it's still OK).
(ii) if the readings fall below the accepted level then our lamps need to be changed or we can just stop using them.
BTW, I agree that UV is not essential to maintain a sterile environment and avoid contamination, however, if it helps sterilize the hood when its not being used then what's the harm?
dear -----
dont you think that UV lamp has a life and switching it on for ever will reduce longevity. 30 min is sufficient. it is always better to wipe the laminar bench and inside with alcohol before switching the UV on and once after also.
she
Hi,
Further to the above answers,
I'm curious about if I have to leave the UV lamp opened when not in use?
I've heard that it would be sufficient just to have the UV light opened for 30min before and after use.
is it true? why?
Very appreciate for your reply...
Some people leave the UV on when not in use; while others leave the UV on before and after use for at least 30min. I think 30 min is enough to kill the bacteria in the hood.
It is mainly the habit. I normally leave UV on when not in use because I have no patience in waiting for 30 min!!
Some studies have demonstrated that UV may not actually kill the bacteria. I don't know whether it is true or not
. I hope this may help.
dear -----
dont you think that UV lamp has a life and switching it on for ever will reduce longevity. 30 min is sufficient. it is always better to wipe the laminar bench and inside with alcohol before switching the UV on and once after also.
she
Hi,
Further to the above answers,
I'm curious about if I have to leave the UV lamp opened when not in use?
I've heard that it would be sufficient just to have the UV light opened for 30min before and after use.
is it true? why?
Very appreciate for your reply...
Some people leave the UV on when not in use; while others leave the UV on before and after use for at least 30min. I think 30 min is enough to kill the bacteria in the hood.
It is mainly the habit. I normally leave UV on when not in use because I have no patience in waiting for 30 min!!
Some studies have demonstrated that UV may not actually kill the bacteria. I don't know whether it is true or not
. I hope this may help.
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Hi its Abhi
Basically in case of the class I laminar flow you are supposed to off the blower as it would lead to difficulty in closing the hood. In case of Class II and Class III biosafety cabinet it does not matter whether you keep it on or off but speaking econiomic point of view its better to save power.
Bye.
Hi,
I think it will depend on what kind and class of laminar air flow you are using. Most of the new laminar air flow hoods have nice insulation for front door. In that case I don't think it is necessary to keep the blower running whilst UV is on.
Pravin Mahajan
Yesterday, I was told that the UV light is usually only used to destroy possibly remaining lipid-DNA transfection remainders.
My problem is that in our lab the same hood is used for bacteria as well as fungi.
Means a lot of spores everywher.
equipment is also quite old.
UV doesnt seem 2 be successful in killing the spores and we get a lot of fungal contamination.
Lot of plates hav got spoiled due to this. wat can i do ?
Spores evrywher !!!!
Means a lot of spores everywher.
equipment is also quite old.
UV doesnt seem 2 be successful in killing the spores and we get a lot of fungal contamination.
Lot of plates hav got spoiled due to this. wat can i do ?
Spores evrywher !!!!
After handling fungus, spray and clean the hood with fungicide.