There's been an ongoing conversation about all the hazards related to Mouse Contamination. It was said, by Keith: "Guidelines to consider: 1) Don't pick your nose or any other part of your body while working on any piano, let alone ones with evidence of mice activity. 2) Wash your hands before making physical contact with another living creature during or after servicing a piano. And here's a little tidbit: Don't wait to wash your hands after going to the bathroom like the signs say. Wash them before touching your privates. That's sums it up for me." Keith et al, Having worked in the medical profession, in another life and specializing in Isolation Techniques, derived from employment in a T.B. Sanitarium, the following should be considered. (I worked there for over 3 years and only threw a "positive" on my final test upon leaving for better employment<G>) If someone wants to cross post this to the Dark Side, please do.<G> Proper isolation techniques: 1. Always wear disposable outer clothing, i.e. gown, cap, booties, mask, gloves. 2. Wash thoroughly before doning isolation garments. 3. If you have facial hair, (as I do<G>), masks will not be effective. (The only effective way is with an encapsulated helmet. :-() 4. Wear appropriate gloves that you KNOW you are not allergic to. (many people are extremely allergic to Latex, which can put them in anaphalactic shock and could kill them!) 5. Gowns, etc. should be made of paper, (disposable), or cotton, (cleanable/reusable). They should cover as much of your entire body as possible and still allow you to do your work. (special note: your personal comfort is not a criteria!<G>) 6. Once the "clean-up" is accomplished, remove yourself to a "Contaminated Area" for the purpose of removing ALL possible contaminated apparel and disposing of as necessary/prescribed. In regards to tools & equipment, Sterilization is definately recommended. How you accomplish that, is in accordance to what the "tool or equipment" will tolerate. (i.e. Autoclave, Anti-bacterial Gasing, Antibiotic wipe downs, etc.) 7. Immediately. Wash Thouroughly...AGAIN! On that subject: IF the sink does not have "elbow levers" you need to use paper towels to turn on and off the faucets. Wash for as long as it takes you to sing, (to yourself), the alphabet song.<G> Similarly, exiting the lavatory/"contamination area", you should use paper towels on the door handles and anything else that could possibly have been contaminated by someone else. 8. Don appropriate "Street Clothing". Special note, (again): The Hantavirus can be reactivated, as can many other nasties, with moisture and proper incubation temperatures, so do not use plain water w/o a disinfectant! Also, many vacuums are not suitable for this sort of decontamination, so check the specs before use, ....NOT during.<G> That's the proceedure as outlined in my experience. I believe it is not necessary to go to these extremes, but it's good information to know. (for what it's worth). Be careful out there my friends and collegues!<G> Joe Joe Garrett, R.P.T. Captain of the Tool Police Squares R I
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