Disinfectants | Environmental Health & Safety

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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