FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
The conversation ranged from hospital operating theatres to tuberculosis( TB) labs, offering a rare inside look at how South Africa is adapting global standards to local realities.
BAG-IN, BOX-OUT AS THE FIRST LINE OF CONTAINMENT
At the heart of contamination control lies the bag-in, box-out( BIBO) housing system, designed to allow safe replacement of filters without exposing technicians to hazardous particles.
“ Think of it as the last line of defense,” Mngadi explained. The housing ensures that when filters are changed, pathogens, dust or hazardous materials remain sealed. The procedure involves a carefully choreographed sequence: filters are bagged inside protective plastic, operators wear full PPE, and every action is documented to meet audit standards.
Yet the technology is not without its challenges. Cost and complexity often limit widespread use, particularly in hospital settings where contractors sometimes default to less sophisticated solutions.“ If you’ ve got pathogens entering into public areas, that’ s a non-conforming hospital,” the audience was reminded.
A critical point of debate was disposal. While suppliers guarantee that their systems prevent contamination, the responsibility for incineration falls on the customer. Hospitals and labs must secure certificates proving safe disposal – essential for compliance and audits. This distinction underscores a broader truth in biosafety: technology can contain hazards, but accountability lies with institutions.
THE TRINITY DECONTAMINATION UNIT
For hospitals, plug-and-play solutions are increasingly attractive. One demonstration centred on the Trinity decontamination unit, a compact system combining filters, chemical housing and an integrated iPad interface for monitoring.
Operation is straightforward: plug in the unit, confirm room size and start the cycle. Built-in sensors calculate dwell time – the period a room must remain sealed while hydrogen peroxide mist neutralises pathogens. Indicators are simple but crucial:
• Flashing red: exit immediately
• Solid red: dispersal in progress
• Red flashing: dissipation time active
• Solid green: room is safe
Hospitals benefit from automation but also face risks. Hydrogen peroxide is dangerous to lungs, making training and strict protocols non-negotiable.
Not all solutions command universal approval. The decontamination( Decon) box is designed to sterilise both filters and fans by injecting formaldehyde into ducting, draws mixed reviews.
Some experts praised its ability to decontaminate components beyond the filter, acknowledging that HEPA filters can load unnoticed over time. Others remained sceptical, citing design inefficiencies. As Baxter admitted,“ For high-risk containment, deconning the fan as well may still be the safer option.”
Supplied by ALPA
The CamSafe system is a‘ safe-change’ or‘ bag-in / bag-out’ filter housing designed for situations where contaminated air is being filtered and you must not expose maintenance staff to the trapped contaminants when changing filters.
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COLD LINK AFRICA June 2026