Decontaminating Divers

From September, 1996 (Update #28)

Divers have been implicated as a potential vector for spreading zebra mussels, but clear guidelines for disinfecting diving gear have not been developed. Now North Dakota State University zoology professor Jim Grier has prepared some recommendations and would like feedback from other divers and zebra mussel researchers. Grier recently contacted ZMU via email. He writes: "I am working with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on native molluscs and zebra mussels in the Mississippi River. The work includes a lot of scuba diving. Part of the project involves doing comparative work in a clean river. "We have been careful that we ourselves do not accidentally spread the zebra mussels via our diving gear. We would like to make recommendations to other divers by providing an information poster for local dive shops. However, we are not sure of the best way to properly decontaminate dive gear. We have discussed decontamination methods with other divers, and I have also contacted a number of dive equipment manufacturers and engineers to make sure that we do not damage gear through such actions. "After taking several factors into account, our present recommendations are to either (1) dry everything (after normal soaking and rinsing) for at least seven days or, if seven-day drying is not possible, (2) soak all gear for one hour in 100-110 F water containing disinfectant soap. "I'm interested in feedback regarding these recommendations and how they compare with what other precautions divers are taking or recommending. Are these recommendations sufficient to kill zebra mussel embryos, larvae and juveniles? Are they overkill? Would shorter drying or soaking periods work just as well? Any suggestions or thoughts would be most appreciated." Contact James W.Grier, North Dakota State University, Dept. of Zoology, Fargo, ND 58105-5517, phone (701) 231-8444, fax (701) 231-7149, email grier@prairie.nodak.edu.

ID: 199609-6.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.