Disinfection, decontamination and sterilization are a matter of course in the medical and pharmaceutical environment. For decades, research was mainly concerned with the development of chemicals, substances and active ingredients. More recently, cleanroom technology has focused on application, measurement and simulation techniques. This presentation deals with different modern decontamination techniques and processes and shows alternatives to e.g. hydrogen peroxide or other processes.
Examples of fully automated decontamination systems that are used to decontaminate large-scale pharmaceutical production facilities or research centers, or modern small systems with new alternative disinfection processes as well as AI-supported cycle developments are examples of the state of the art.

The use of hydrogen peroxide for bio-decontamination is widespread and opens up countless possibilities for application in a wide range of areas due to its user-friendliness, but above all due to the rapid and reliable killing of microorganisms. Since both the mode of action of H2O2 and the factors influencing the killing of microorganisms in bio-decontamination are well researched and understood, there are always technically sophisticated possibilities for optimizing the decontamination process, for example with regard to even shorter process times. The presentation will cover the basics of H2O2 decontamination, current examples of practical applications and an outlook on future challenges and opportunities.

Although H2O2 decontamination is an established process in the pharmaceutical industry, there are many theoretical and practical aspects that need to be considered. Some of them are well known and obvious but are not considered in the development of modern isolators, others are highly dependent on the knowledge, experience and practical skills of the team performing the qualification and daily use. Consideration of both aspects is crucial for successful H2O2 decontamination. By fully understanding the theoretical and practical aspects, isolators can be designed and operated to ensure reliable and effective decontamination.