Baby bottle and other disinfection devices used during travel to low electrical voltage (110V) regions: A practical experiment with implications for baby, lactating mothers and patient safety

Abstract

BackgroundBaby bottle steam disinfectors are important for the disinfection of devices used with baby nutrition, lactating mothers and respiratory patients (e.g. nebulisers). There have been no reports to date describing the effect of incorrect voltage on thermal performance. It was the aim of this study to evaluate thermal output, at low (110 V) voltage compared to 220 V. Such data will determine if variation in voltage, results in temperature differences, constituting a microbiological safety risk. MethodsThermal performance was evaluated by positioning calibrated thermocouple probes in multiple locations operating the device at 110 V and 220–240 V. ResultsWithin the upper tray at 220–240 V, a maximum temperature (TempMAX) of 100 °C was achieved, with the unit remaining at 90 °C for 420 s (A0 = 3000), whereas at 110 V, TempMAX = 71.1 °C, remaining at >70 °C for 630 s. Most importantly, when the lower tray of the device was examined at 110 V, TempMAX = 48.6 °C at one location, remaining >40 °C for 1140 s, whereas at 220–240 V, the lowest temperature achieved was 86.1 °C, with an A0 equivalence of A0 = 60. ConclusionsThis study showed that input voltage of 110 V to the baby bottle steam disinfector had an adverse effect on thermal performance, by not achieving intended time/temperature combinations, compared to 220–240 V. Parents of babies and infants need to be made aware of the microbiological safety risks of operating such devices outside the manufacturers' specification. For the safety of babies, infants, mothers and patients, users must ensure that such devices are always operated safely within manufacturer's specifications and instructions for use.