In the aftermath of natural disasters, providing medical assistance and rapid diagnosis of diseases is critical. However, traditional laboratory facilities are not always accessible in disaster zones. The use of shipping container cleanrooms is an innovative solution to this challenge.
This article presents a case study of how a shipping container cleanroom was utilized for disaster response laboratory operations.
The Challenge
In 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands in need of medical assistance. The Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population asked for help from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a laboratory to test for cholera, which was expected to surge after the hurricane.
The CDC faced a significant challenge: how to quickly establish a laboratory in a disaster zone where traditional facilities were unavailable or inaccessible. The solution they came up with was to use a shipping container cleanroom that could be quickly transported and set up to provide necessary testing capabilities.
Shipping Container Cleanrooms for Disaster Response
Natural disasters can severely damage infrastructure and disrupt medical services, making it challenging for medical professionals to provide critical assistance to those in need. Laboratory testing becomes an essential tool for disease diagnosis and outbreak management. Shipping container cleanrooms are modified containers with specialized equipment and features to provide a controlled environment suitable for laboratory operations.
Shipping container cleanrooms are mobile and easily transported to disaster zones, where they can be quickly set up to provide essential laboratory testing capabilities. These containers are equipped with HVAC systems, electricity, and plumbing and can be configured with different types of laboratory equipment, such as biosafety cabinets, microscopes, and centrifuges.
Shipping container cleanrooms offer several advantages beyond their mobility and quick set-up. They provide a safe and secure environment for laboratory operations, with controlled airflow, temperature, and humidity levels. This controlled environment is critical for maintaining the integrity of laboratory samples and preventing contamination.
Shipping container cleanrooms are also cost-effective and customizable. They can be designed and modified to meet specific laboratory requirements, depending on the type of testing needed. These containers are suitable for remote locations where traditional laboratory facilities are not available.
The Solution
The CDC used a 20-foot shipping container retrofitted with an HVAC system, electricity, and plumbing for the laboratory. The container was divided into two sections: a laboratory area and a workspace for technicians. The laboratory area had all the necessary equipment to test for cholera, including a biosafety cabinet, a microscope, and a centrifuge. The workspace area included a desk, chair, and storage space for supplies and equipment.
The container was transported to Haiti by cargo plane and set up in a designated area. The CDC team trained Haitian laboratory technicians to operate the equipment and conduct the necessary tests.
The Results
The use of a shipping container cleanroom proved to be an effective solution for establishing a laboratory in a disaster zone. The container was quickly transported to Haiti and set up within a matter of days.
The laboratory was able to test samples for cholera, and the results were shared with the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population, which used them to guide its response to the outbreak. The laboratory was also able to test for other diseases, such as Zika virus and malaria.
Conclusion
Shipping container cleanrooms are versatile and effective solutions for establishing laboratories in disaster zones. In such situations, medical professionals can provide critical assistance to those in need by quickly transporting and setting up these containers to provide essential testing capabilities. Shipping container cleanrooms are safe, customizable, cost-effective, and suitable for remote locations where traditional laboratory facilities are not available.
By using shipping container cleanrooms for disaster response laboratory operations, medical professionals can provide essential assistance during times of crisis.
If you are in need of a shipping container cleanroom for disaster response laboratory operations or any other laboratory testing needs, consider working with KCH Cleanrooms.
As the leading provider of cleanroom solutions in the Northern California Bay Area, KCH Cleanrooms has over 15 years of experience in designing, building, and installing cleanrooms for a variety of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help meet your laboratory testing needs.
