Study Validates Steam Vapor with TANCS

A peer-reviewed study, "Reduction in the microbial load on high-touch surfaces in hospital rooms by treatment with a portable saturated steam vapor disinfection system," conducted by Sheri L. Maxwell, BS; Charles P. Gerba, PhD; Jonathan D. Sexton, MS (University of Arizona, Tucson) and Benjamin D. Tanner, PhD (Antimicrobial Test Laboratories, Round Rock, Texas) concluded that TANCS®-equipped steam vapor units "reduced bacterial levels by greater than 90 percent and reduced pathogen levels on most surfaces to below the detection limit" within only a few seconds of treatment.

The study was carried out in eight occupied rooms of a long-term care wing of a hospital. Six surfaces per room were swabbed before and after steam treatment and analyzed for heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total coliforms, methicillin intermediate and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MISA and MRSA), and Clostridium difficile.

Researchers reported, "The steam vapor device consistently reduced total microbial and pathogen loads on hospital surfaces, to below detection in most instances" and that the system "provides a means to reduce levels of microorganisms on hospital surfaces without the drawbacks associated with chemicals."

The study report was published online June 8, 2011 by the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).