[HARMRED] cleaning syringes without bleach

[Robert Heimer]

It depends on syringe type, but for syringes of 1 cc or smaller we have found
that 3 washes with clean water reduces recovery of virus 99%.  This is not
perfect, it is not as good as bleach, but is as good as one wash with soap and
water and it does not leave soap in the barrel of the syringe.  If you want, I
can send you the paper that we published in 2004 showing the rate of syringe
disinfection with different cleaning solutions.

Quoting Cathy Strobel <cathy.strobel at mnaidsproject.org>:

> I have question about what we should tell clients about reducing their
> risks when they don't have access to clean syringes or even bleach. I am
> working on a training manual for an internet outreach program. In our
> information about reducing risks when injecting, we recommend using a
> new syringe each time you inject as least risky; if you can't, then
> don't share with anyone else; if you are sharing use the bleach and
> water cleaning method; and if you don't have access to bleach to clean,
> use soap and water.
>
>
>
> Our grant manager is questioning the final soap and water suggestion in
> the material review process and asked us to remove it because it's not a
> generally recognized public health recommendation. I argue that as a
> last resort, any steps to clean the syringe reduces risk. So, I'm
> looking for your expert opinions - what do you recommend for clients if
> they are in a situation where they are sharing and don't have bleach.
> I've seen peroxide and rubbing alcohol as suggestions also.
>
>
>
> Cathy Strobel
>
> Associate Director of Health Education
>
> Minnesota AIDS Project
>
> 1400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis MN 55404
>
> Phone: 612-373-2452    Fax: 612-341-4057
>
> email: cstrobel at mnaidsproject.org
>
> www.mnaidsproject.org
>
>
>
>


-- 
Robert Heimer
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
Yale University
60 College St.
PO Box 208034
New Haven, CT 06520-8034

1-203-785-6732 (phone)
1-203-785-3260 (fax)
http://cira.med.yale.edu/about_us/heimer.html
http://info.med.yale.edu/eph/faculty/heimer.html

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