journals.asm.org
As a component of aseptic technique, Bunsen burners do not universally decrease deposition of microbe-containing particles | Microbiology Spectrum
The ability to manipulate and control microbial presence in built environments is imperative to research and medicine. The lack of documented evidence relating Bunsen burner use and airborne contamination led us to conclude that this element of aseptic technique has until now been supported primarily by lore and tradition rather than experimental data. Given that laboratory open flame use has financial, temporal, and safety implications for research institutions across the globe, we sought to determine whether it is a worthwhile investment of resources. Ultimately, our data suggest that this practice is not evidence-based and that, except in a specific subset of circumstances, Bunsen burners can be removed from classroom and laboratory practice without compromising research integrity.
