Vaporized hydrogen peroxide

Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (trademarked VHP, also known as hydrogen peroxide vapor, HPV) is a vapor form of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with applications as a low-temperature antimicrobial vapor used to decontaminate enclosed and sealed areas such as laboratory workstations, isolation and pass-through rooms, and even aircraft interiors.

Use as sterilant

Regulatory status

VHP is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a sterilant, which the EPA defines as "a substance that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life in the inanimate environment, including all forms of vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, fungal spores, and viruses". As a sterilant, VHP is one of the chemicals approved for decontamination of anthrax spores from contaminated buildings, such as occurred during the 2001 anthrax attacks in the U.S. It has also been shown to be effective in removing exotic animal viruses, such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease from equipment and surfaces.

Application

VHP is produced from a solution of liquid H₂O₂ and water, by generators specifically designed for the purpose. These generators initially dehumidify the ambient air, then produce VHP by passing aqueous hydrogen peroxide over a vaporizer, and circulate the vapor at a programmed concentration in the air, typically from 140 ppm to 1400 ppm, depending on the infectious agent to be cleared. By comparison, a concentration of 75 ppm is considered to be "Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health" in humans. After the VHP has circulated in the enclosed space for a pre-defined period of time, it is circulated back through the generator, where it is broken down into water and oxygen by a catalytic converter, until concentrations of VHP fall to safe levels (typically <1 ppm). Alternatively, the VHP is vented to the outside air, in cases where recapturing of the VHP is not needed.

Use in hospitals

Vaporized hydrogen peroxide has been investigated as an airborne disinfectant and infection control measure for hospitals and has been shown to reduce incidence of nosocomial infections from a number of pathogens. Clostridium difficile associated disease, VRE and MRSA are all associated with environmental contamination. H₂O₂ vapor has been used in hospitals to eradicate causal agents, e.g., antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, from the environment and prevent infection of subsequent patients.