How should decontamination tools used for biological samples be cleaned?

The correct approach for cleaning decontamination tools used for biological samples is to wash them with alcohol for a specified duration. Using alcohol is effective at killing a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The duration of 3 minutes provides sufficient contact time to ensure that the alcohol can effectively disinfect the surfaces of the tools.

Choosing to wash with alcohol allows for rapid evaporation, minimizing the risk of residual moisture that could facilitate microbial growth. It also avoids the potential issues associated with moisture retention, which might occur with other cleaning methods.

While the other methods mentioned, such as soaking in plain water or wiping with a paper towel, may provide some level of cleanliness, they do not adequately ensure that biological contaminants are effectively neutralized. A bleach solution could also be effective, but it may not be suitable for all types of decontamination tools, and the choice of concentration and contact time is crucial for effectiveness. Therefore, using alcohol is a reliable and widely accepted method for disinfecting tools in a CBRN context.