Decontamination of TSE from Modular Building 24

Tender description

Building 24 is a large CL3 laboratory that was used solely for the study of TSE organisms between 2003 -2013. Following the studies, this CL3 laboratory was left unused due to the risk of TSE contamination. TSE organisms are animal proteins that are usually resistant to coventional chemical and physical methods of decontamination including standard disinfectants, fumigation and autoclaving procedures (Above 121°C for 15 minutes). Due to the difficulties of decontamination, special attention and procedures are required to track, control and limit contamination. Over the years, a satisfactory decontamination program has been created at PHE allowing us to clean TSE Labs to a safe working environment. This procedure, however can only be carried out by specialist contractors. The specialist nature of this decontamination and the complexity of the required disposal program and the use of a specialised chemical means that there are no alternative companies/contractors to tender for the works.