Hygiene

The department "Hygiene and Microbiology" of the wfk-Cleaning Technology Research Institute (head: Dr. Lutz Vossebein) comprises a laboratory suitable for investigations with germs which are pathogenic to humans [risk category II according to paragraph 44 of the German law on protection against infections (Infektionsschutzgesetz)].

All investigations for the evaluation of the hygiene status in industrial laundries and other areas are therefore possible. An example for such investigations is the introduction of "Risk Analysis and Bio-contamination Control Systems" (RABC). The RABC-concept is based on a new European Standard (EN 14065) and guarantees an appropriate hygiene quality of textiles after reprocessing in industrial laundries.

Furthermore the wfk-Cleaning Techology Research Institue evaluates the efficiency of disinfecting proc-esses and disinfecting agents. Such investigations are e.g. a precondition for the recognition of new disinfecting agents by the Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI) or the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM).

Additionally, different research projects in the field of hygiene are carried out at the moment. An ex-ample is the development of low temperature processes for the germ reduction on work wear or clothing from old peoples´ and nursing homes.

Further research is carried out with regard to the improvement of cleaning-, disinfecting- and sterilisa-tion processes for medical instruments such as endoscopes.

Several workshops and seminars on appropriate hygiene requirements for laundry from food proc-essing or hospitals are offered. Beside textile hygiene, the activities regarding hospital hygiene, food hygiene and environmental hygiene will be extended.