Ultrasonic potentiation of the sporicidal activity of glutaraldehyde.

Laboratory test data showed a 4.8-fold increase in the sporicidal activity of glutaraldehyde with the incorporation of ultrasound. Projected times required for 100 percent killed of a 20,000 hydrated spore inoculant were reduced from 211 minutes to 44 minutes. Clinical exposure time intervals necessitated a 31/2-hour glutaraldehyde immersion versus a 30-minute cavitated glutaraldehyde chemosterilization to ensure a 100 percent kill. The feasibility of reducing the ADA-required 10-hour soak in glutaraldehyde to ensure sterility with the incorporation of ultrasonic baths is supported by these data. Tests performed also showed that the airborne contamination from an open tank method is minimal. No spores were retrieved from vapor collected by passive vacuum during cavitation of inoculated glutaraldehyde.