Laboratory Practices


Disinfectants

Alcohols

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • highly effective bactericides
  • effective tuberculocidal agents
  • effective virucidal agents
  • time to kill - in seconds
  • pleasant odor
  • evaporation without residue formation
  • non-staining
  • cleansing activity
  • easily obtainable and used
  • generally nontoxic
  • non-irritating
  • inexpensive
  • stable when stored properly
  • non-allergenic
  • nonsporicidal
  • activity against hydrophilic viruses questionable
  • skin and mucous membrane irritation
  • organic matter interference
  • volatile flammable
  • some incompatibility with rubber and plastic materials
  • inventory and procurement problems
  • not registered as a disinfectant by EPA

 

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Chlorine Compounds

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • wide spectrum of rapid biocidal properties
  • deodorizing/sanitizing properties
  • facility of handling and use
  • low levels of toxicity and irritancy
  • insignificant residues
  • non-staining and colorless
  • acceptable odor
  • low cost
  • sporicidal properties questionable
  • skin irritation on prolonged contact
  • possible bronchial irritation from inhalation
  • general caustic effects
  • corrosion of metals
  • Product deterioration on standing
  • bleaching effect on fabrics
  • non-wetting action
  • not registered as disinfectant by EPA
  • possible CO-carcinogenic properties

 

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Formaldehyde

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • wide spectrum of biocidal properties
  • excellent vapor phase disinfectant paraformaldehyde
  • can be rapidly neutralized
  • active in the presence of organic matter
  • relatively inexpensive
  • readily available
  • stable when properly stored
  • registered as a disinfectant by EPA
  • extremely pungent and suffocating odor
  • skin and mucous membrane irritant
  • can cause allergic dermatitis

 

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Glutaraldehyde

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties
  • relatively rapid disinfecting action - 10 minutes
  • good activity in presence of organic matter
  • comparability with metal, rubber, and plastic materials
  • low volatility (vapor pressure like water)
  • nonflammable
  • EPA registered as disinfectant
  • EPA registered as a sporicide
  • activation required
  • rinsing required to remove residual disinfectant
  • slightly to moderately toxic
  • tissue irritation (especially to eyes and mucous membranes)
  • not recommended for carbon steel surfaces
  • definite shelf-life
  • can cause allergic contact dermatitis

 

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Iodophors

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • powerful germicidal properties of iodine
  • readily miscible with water
  • relatively free of toxicity and irritancy
  • almost colorless and nonstaining
  • safe and convenient to use
  • powerful detergent action
  • stable in storage
  • generally non-corrosive
  • EPA registered as a disinfectant
  • corrosiveness of some surfaces
  • unstable above 54 oC
  • relatively expensive
  • not considered instrument-safe

 

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Phenolics

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity
  • Readily miscible with additives (e.g. soap)
  • Many formulations available
  • Good cleansing action
  • Good sanitizer/germicide for housekeeping
  • EPA registered as a disinfectant
  • Phenol coefficient readily attainable
  • Relatively poor sporicide
  • Possesses unpleasant odor
  • skin and mucous membrane irritant
  • Toxic
  • Inactivated by organic matter
  • Materials incompatible (stains and odors)
  • Relatively expensive

 

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Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Good disinfectant action - Gram (+) microbes
  • Possess detergent and surfactant properties
  • Soluble in water and alcohol
  • Almost odorless (pleasant aromatic smell)
  • Generally nontoxic and non-allergenic
  • Materials compatible
  • Easily prepared and used
  • Useful for sanitizing applications
  • EPA registered as a disinfectant
  • Inexpensive
  • Decreased activity against Gram (-) microbes
  • Lack tuberculocidal properties
  • No sporicidal activity
  • Poor activity against hydrophilic viruses
  • Poor activity against pseudomonads
  • Development of resistant bacterial strains
  • Not effective against all nosocomial infections
  • Incompatible with soaps
  • Substantial interference by organic matter
  • Inactivated by stoppers, gauze, cotton, etc.
  • Reports of contact dermatitis

 

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