I spoke to Becky Jones of Gonzo Guano Gear (packs, harnesses, etc.) this
morning about high temperature water and she says according to the cordage
institute the "tacky" temperature for nylon is around 180 degrees F, so soaking
in 122 degree F water for 15 minutes is probably not going to weaken the fibers
in caving gear. Just to be sure about this issue, she will pass this question
along to Steve Hudson of PMI and report if there is anything cavers should be
concerned about. I would think (from a nonprofessional standpoint) that this
new protocol is easier on the gear than chemicals, especially bleach. Getting
dirt out from between the fibers is probably going to add usable time to the
life of the gear by cutting down internal abrasion on the fibers. And no fungus
to boot!
>
>
>From: "Steve Smith" <[email protected]>
>Date: April 13, 2012 12:09:12 AM CDT
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: NSS Conservation Network - New USFWS WNS Decon Protocols
>
>
From Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, NSS Conservation Division Co-Chairs
>(through the NSS Conservation Network - Steve Smith, Coordinator):
>
>We just received this information from Peter Youngbaer, NSS WNS Liaison, who
>requested that it be sent out on the NSS Conservation Network (NSSCN).
>Please pass the word out to the folks within your IO.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Jim & Val
>
>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
>
>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today, April 9, 2012, released
>their new cleaning and disinfecting protocols for dealing with White
>Nose Syndrome. A major new addition is a non-chemical hot water
>standard for disinfection: maintaining clothing and gear submerged in
>hot water at a sustained temperature of greater than 50 degrees
>Celsius (122 F) for more than 15 minutes. IMPORTANT: This hot water
>disinfecting is done AFTER completing the usual cleaning with
>surfactant, such as Woolite, and removal of organic material
>
>The full protocol can be found at:
>
>http://whitenosesyndrome.org/sites/default/files/resource/national_wns_decontamination_protocol_v_03.15.2012.pdf
>
>Peter Youngbaer
>White Nose Syndrome Liaison
>National Speleological Society
>(802) 272-3802
>
>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
>
>In my never-ending quest to keep the NSSCN E-Mail addressee list as current
>as
>possible, I'd appreciate it greatly if each IO would send me their "druthers"
>on who within the IO they'd like to receive this info. Usually, this info
>should go to the IO Conservation Chair, for subsequent forwarding out to
>their
>respective membership. If the IO does not have a designated Conservation
>Chair, then this info should go to the overall IO Chair. Please send me any
>addressee changes/updates due to IO internal elections, folks moving out of
>town, etc.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Steve Smith, NSSCN coordinator
>
>
