Sporicidin wipes

Ian Fulton <ian.fulton [at] awm__gov__au> writes

>I have seen some reference to Sporicidin, it seemed a good idea at
>the time, but now it seems ineffective as indicated below in
>
><URL:http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00015790.htm>
>
>and it begins ...
>
>    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun testing
>    antimicrobial products registered for use as sterilants and
>    sporicides to determine their effectiveness. The product
>    Sporicidin Cold Sterilizing Solution (SCSS) (EPA Reg. No.
>    8383-5), registered as a sterilant to reprocess medical
>    instruments that are reused, has failed standard registration
>    efficacy tests. ...

I don't know if Sporicidin is a good idea or not, but it seems to me
that the EPA report mentioned is not very relevant to its possible
use in conservation.  The requirements in medical sterilization is
100% kill of all spores and bacteria, 100% of the time.  The fact
that a few spores or bacteria might remain might be disastrous in
medical applications, but it is hardly the red flag for all possible
conservation applications.

I did use a small amount of Sporicidin on a moderately molded
African wood object once as a test.  I diluted it 50:50 with ethanol
and spot cleaned lightly with swabs.  Not only did the object clean
up beautifully, with no visible damage to surface patina, it
remained mold free in less than ideal storage conditions for at
least six months.  Other objects which were merely cleaned did not
fair so well.

This was hardly scientific, but it indicates to me that the
treatment might be worth looking into, and certainly not discarded
without proper evaluation based on a disparaging EPA report.  Of
course, if FDA manage to get all Sporicidin products removed for
false advertising, the point may be moot!

Linda S. Roundhill
Art and Antiquities Conservation
18121 157th Ave NE
Woodinville, WA 98072
425-481-0720


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:25
                Distributed: Wednesday, October 2, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-25-005
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