A bacteriological survey of sanitary dressings, and development of an effective means for their disposal.

A microbiological survey of over 400 sanitary dressings is reported: large numbers of bacteria are present, including species indicative of faecal contamination. The need for an effective bactericide in chemical bin exchange systems is thus demonstrated. Screening trials of several candidate formulations have been undertaken: buffered sodium metabisulphite, releasing sulphur dioxide as a vapour-phase bactericide, has now been introduced as an effective bin exchnage system.