ISS habitat is safe for its residents, according to 5-year microbial study Livermore_Lab
As per the study requirements, there was no cleaning at least 4 days prior to sampling. Cleaning outside that time frame was conducted as per routine ISS activities and was performed with disinfectant wipes containing octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride , dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride , didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride , alkyl dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and dimethylbenzylammonium chloride .
During each flight sampling session, the same crew member sampled each of the eight locations. Using the sterile gloves from the sampling kit, he/she sampled 1 mwith the pre-moistened polyester wipes and donned a new pair of individually packed sterile gloves before sampling the next location. A control wipe was taken out from the zip lock bag, unfolded, waved for 30 s, and packed back inside a new sterile zip lock. One control wipe was included for each flight session.