IMPORTANT NOTICE

Phenolic based HYCOLIN IS NO LONGER LEGALLY AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR USE

- SEE HSE LINK

http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/notices/biosn012007.htm

TO ASSIST ALL WORKING ON MYCOBACTERIA THE AFC (THROUGH THE WEBSITE) IS PREPARED TO COLLATE AND MAKE AVAILABLE DATA FROM ANY AND ALL LABORATORIES TESTING AND ASSESSING ALTERNATIVE BIOCIDES/DISINFECTION AGENTS. PLEASE FOLLOW LINK BELOW

If you have data that would be of interest to members of the community please send to Tim McHugh or Barry Walker and it will be added to the information below.

UPDATED AUGUST 2007

ALTERNATIVES TO HYCOLIN - DATA AND OUTCOMES

However - - - -

At the AFC meeting on Friday 12 January 2007 an update on what amounts to a crisis for TB labs in the UK and Europe was provided.

MINUTES OF THAT MEETING ARE HERE (Thanks - Joanna Bacon)

HSE representatives have provided some guidance for the Acid Fast Club which is summarised below:

Some phenolic-based active ingredients (e.g. 2,4,6-trichlorophenol xylenol) that were used in TB laboratories, such as Hycolin, are no longer permitted for manufacture, supply or storage under the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001.

These active ingredients cannot be used in disinfectant formulations as of 1st September 2006.

If you use these types of disinfectants, you will need to identify a replacement disinfectant or an alternative method of decontamination.

In determining an appropriate replacement disinfectant you should consult manufacturers to confirm that the disinfectant complies with the requirements of the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 and that it has been tested for efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

HSE as regulators in this sector will raise this issue as part of their inspections. Inspectors will be visiting during 2007 to assess progress and provide advice. Currently, Inspectors have advised that a provisional time period of up to six weeks is likely to be sufficient for any transition to an alternative decontamination method to take place.

Updated August 2007