Lid/stopper came off my vial.. Possible contamination?

**pooner82** · 03-13-2012, 02:33 AM

Hey all, new around here.

I recently opened a 10ml vial of sust, and for some unknown reason the whole rubber stopper came off with the flip cap. When I pulled the cap off, the stopper fell onto the floor and under my cupboard (It's rather dusty down there). I fretted and quickly put the flip cap on top of the vial to prevent other foreign bodies/dust from the air from going into it, and rushed upstairs to clean the stopper with antibacterial dishwashing liquid that was sitting infront of the sink.

So, hot water, antibacterial dishwashing liquid and about a minute or two later I went back downstairs, used an alcohol wipe on the top of the vial/stopper and put the rubber stopper back on.

Now, question time:

1. Will transferring my sust from the 'contaminated' vial into a sterile vial with a 0.22 filter be enough to ensure that the contents are safe for use?

2. I don't currently have any sterile vials available for use, so I'm ordering one online (I live in Australia, but I think I've found a local supplier), will I be able to leave my 'contaminated' vial and its contents alone in the vial until my pre-sterilized vial arrives, or should I sterilize one of my old vials that are sitting around, transfer it into one of those, AND THEN transfer it again into the pre-sterilized vial?

3. I've been fretting for the last four hours and reading up on sterilizing techniques via ovens, etc, but I'm a bit worried about getting an abscess or risking infection via homebrew sterilization methods. If you sterilize with an oven/isopropyl alcohol is there much chance of bacteria remaining (granted that everything else is done properly)?

It's driving me crazy that the day I start my next cycle is the day that I potentially waste a perfectly good vial of sust.. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

**lovbyts** · 03-13-2012, 02:50 AM

If it was me I would not be worried about contamination due to putting the stopper back on after cleaning it but it's curious the rubber stopper fell out.

**pooner82** · 03-13-2012, 05:07 AM

Yeah apparently the brand that I have is notorious for their 10ml bottles not being crimped properly.

Even though I put the stopper back on after cleaning it, wouldn't that mean that the vial is now de-sterilized due to air going in?

Anyone else got any thoughts on this matter..?

**lovbyts** · 03-13-2012, 05:24 AM

what happens when you pull a little air into the syringe? When the needle is exposed to the air or when someone is using amp and have to break off the top then draw it out with a needle? It's all exposed to air. If you have stuff floating around in the air to contaminate it that quickly then you have more to be concerned about. lol

Honestly if you are worried there are a few things you can do. Heat it up (DONT boil) in hot water for 15 min then stick it in the refrigerator (not freezer) for 30 minutes. The rapid temperature change will kill any/most all bacteria. You can also do as you suggested re filter it.

**pooner82** · 03-13-2012, 05:36 AM

I have a lot of dust in my room, that's my main concern.

I've got a spare vial/stopper/crimp currently sitting in some 60% isopropyl alcohol for the past 4 or so hours. I'll probably end up baking it though just to be sure..

Would heating it up/cooling it down, drawing it all into a 10ml syringe barrel THEN putting it back into the vial with a 0.2 filter be worth the effort? Or would that just be somewhat of a waste since the vial's sterilization is already compromised..?

**lovbyts** · 03-13-2012, 05:45 AM

Personally I think it's overkill. Yeah I understand it is dusty but it's not like it's blowing around. You cleaned the stopper before putting it back. Heating it and cooling should be plenty good enough but if it bothers you then better safe than sorry. Yeah make sure you bake it, autoclave is best (pressure cooker). Alcohol wont do much.

**pooner82** · 03-13-2012, 05:53 AM

Anywho, thanks for the help man. Greatly appreciated.

If I get an abscess though.. I'll be sure to let you know.

**bob87** · 03-13-2012, 05:55 AM

what state you in mate..... im in aus wuth sterile viles on hand

**lovbyts** · 03-13-2012, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by pooner82

Anywho, thanks for the help man. Greatly appreciated.

If I get an abscess though.. I'll be sure to let you know.

LOL, if it's your first cycle expect to get a lump or two and be sore in the injection area.
A couple of times, inject after a shower, inject SLOW, 1+ minute per CC. This helps reduce bruising the muscle greatly and less chance of it being sore the next day. You can use a heating pad or heat in some way to also help if it gets sore or a lump.

It's not a abscess or infection unless it get warm to the touch.

**boxin23** · 03-13-2012, 06:04 AM

your needle which is exposed to "air" is put inside from an outside environment every time along with any air you may push into the vial. You are worrying way too much IMO.

**pooner82** · 03-13-2012, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

LOL, if it's your first cycle expect to get a lump or two and be sore in the injection area.
A couple of times, inject after a shower, inject SLOW, 1+ minute per CC. This helps reduce bruising the muscle greatly and less chance of it being sore the next day. You can use a heating pad or heat in some way to also help if it gets sore or a lump.

It's not a abscess or infection unless it get warm to the touch.

It's my 2nd cycle, first was Prop EOD injections, I found it a bit too entertaining pinning that often so no worries there, lol.

Originally Posted by bob87

what state you in mate..... im in aus wuth sterile viles on hand

I'm in QLD, Brisbane, but I just bought two sterile vials from a company in Sydney for $4.

And yeah, I'm sorta over-reacting.. Better safe than sorry I guess..? It's a tad bit frustrating because I've been doing a lot of research today on the topic and 99% of other sources information on the matter is conflicting with what I'm getting here.

Are the chances of getting an infection from opening the vial even that high? Most UG labs use anti-bacterial liquid to suspend the test in right (Benzyl Alcohol)?

**bob87** · 03-13-2012, 04:12 PM

No worries I'm in west aus looks like your sorted.

**stpete** · 03-13-2012, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by pooner82

Yeah apparently the brand that I have is notorious for their 10ml bottles not being crimped properly.

Even though I put the stopper back on after cleaning it, wouldn't that mean that the vial is now de-sterilized due to air going in?

Anyone else got any thoughts on this matter..?

I think you're ok. It certainly wouldn't hurt to re filter though.