No Corner Untouched: Tackling Surface Disinfection Challenges in Lab Animal Facilities

Maintaining a clean and contamination-free vivarium is essential for both animal welfare and research integrity. While surface disinfection may seem straightforward, lab animal environments present unique challenges—especially when it comes to cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of a facility and managing the movement of soiled cages. Even small oversights in the disinfection process can lead to cross-contamination, compromising study results and affecting animal health. 

In this blog, we explore the hidden pitfalls of surface disinfection and discuss how Peroxigard® can play a pivotal role in ensuring a safe, effective, and compliant cleaning protocol. 

Nooks, Crannies, and Overlooked Surfaces: The Hidden Risk Zones

Lab animal facilities are full of tight spaces—under racks, behind equipment, corners of housing rooms, and crevices within procedure areas. These spots are often overlooked during routine cleaning, creating potential harborage points for pathogens. When not properly disinfected, these areas can serve as reservoirs for contamination, posing ongoing risk to both animals and staff. 

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Even high-traffic touchpoints—such as door handles, cage lids, and workstations—can become problematic if not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. A comprehensive approach must prioritize these hidden surfaces as part of a facility-wide decontamination strategy. 

Cage Wash Bottlenecks: When Improper Decontamination Creates Cross-Contamination

Another significant issue arises when dirty cages are transported through the facility without proper interim decontamination. Soiled cages can introduce contaminants into the cage wash area or holding zones, even before they are processed. This scenario creates an opportunity for cross-contamination—not only compromising the cage wash process, but potentially spreading pathogens to clean equipment and adjacent areas. 

Cross-contamination isn’t just a theoretical risk—it’s a real threat that can undo the effectiveness of even the best cage wash protocols. That’s why proactive, pre-wash disinfection steps are critical, especially at key transfer points in the facility. 

Why Peroxigard® is a Smart Solution for LAS Surface Disinfection

Designed specifically for controlled environments, Peroxigard® is an ideal disinfectant for vivarium where efficacy, safety, and material compatibility are non-negotiable. Its fast-acting formulation harnesses the power of Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® (AHP®), offering broad-spectrum antimicrobial action without compromising user or animal safety. 

Key benefits of Peroxigard® in the lab animal environment include: 

• Broad Compatibility makes it effective on surfaces including floors, racks, walls, and even intricate equipment parts.
• Rapid contact times boast the fastest turn-around times for above floor surfaces (60 seconds). This reduces downtime while delivering powerful microbial kill, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• Safe for daily use—HMIS rating of 0 for health, safe for staff and animals.
  
•  Ideal for spot disinfection of soiled cages or staging areas before they enter cage wash. Broad spectrum effectiveness for the most important animal organisms.  
• Leaves no residual. Eliminating Biofilm that can trap pathogens.  

By incorporating Peroxigard® RTU or Concentrate into your daily SOPs, facilities can confidently target both high-touch and hard-to-reach surfaces—ensuring a cleaner, safer environment from floor to ceiling. 

Build a Culture of Contamination Control

Effective disinfection isn’t just about what you use—it’s about how and where you use it. Training staff to recognize contamination hotspots, establishing consistent cleaning protocols for transitional areas, and implementing appropriate tools for routine spot disinfection can significantly reduce the risk of pathogen spread. 

With tools like Peroxigard® in hand, vivarium teams can address both the visible and hidden threats, upholding the integrity of their research and the health of their animals. 

In the lab animal environment, the smallest contaminants can have the biggest consequences. By addressing commonly missed surfaces and decontamination weak points—especially around cage handling and transitional spaces—facilities can dramatically improve their biosafety standards. Peroxigard® provides a proven, facility-friendly solution that supports these efforts without adding complexity to your workflows. 

Ready to rethink your disinfection strategy?

Explore how Peroxigard® can elevate your cleaning protocols and help ensure a clean, cross-contamination-free vivarium. 

Contact us for more information.