basic guide to disinfectants

8/2/2019 Basic Guide to Disinfectants

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Basic Guide to Disinfectants

Most disinfectants are, by their very nature, potentially harmful (even toxic) to humans or animals. They should be treated with appropriate care.

The choice of the disinfectant to be used depends on the particular situation. Some disinfectants are broad spectrum (kill nearly all microorganism

disease-causing organisms but are preferred for other properties (they may be non-corrosive, non-toxic, or inexpensive).

Broadly, there are four types of disinfectant:

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Qats)

Phenolics

Aldehydes

Oxidizers

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Qats)

These are effective against bacteria. Quats are biocides which also kill algae and are used as an additive in large-scale industrial water systems t

Quaternary ammonium compounds can also be effective disinfectants against enveloped viruses. Earlier Quats were regarded as low level disinfe

effective against tough bacteria like some species of Pseudomonas. However, 4th generation Quats like the DXT range, are proving to be much m

still retaining their “safer” credentials.

Phenolics

The US Environmental Protection Agency lists disinfectants that contain phenols as "corrosive and toxic." There are now links to damage to the liv

exposure, and Nonyl phenol ethoxylate, a common ingredient in US laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners, is banned in Europe and biodeg

compounds.

Aldehydes



Aldehydes, such as Glutaraldehyde, have a wide biocidal activity and are sporocidal and fungicidal. They are partly inactivated by organic matter.

resistance to Glutaraldehyde, and it has been found that Glutaraldehyde can cause asthma and other health hazards. This has lead to many alde

under the current ongoing European Biocide legislation.

Oxidizers

Bleach, Hydrogen Peroxide, Peracetic Acid, Iodine and compounds of chlorine and oxygen all fall into this group. Whilst undoubtedly effective aga

highly corrosive and produce many by-products harmful to the environment.

Disinfectant Type Comparisons

Active ingredient

Effective against: Toxicology

Viruses Bacteria Myco-

bacteria Fungi

Non-

Cytotoxic

Non-

Mutagenic Enveloped Non

enveloped

Gram-

positive

Gram-

negative

4th generation Quat (in

EnviroCair)

Peracetic acid

Phenols

Formaldehyde

Glutaraldehyde

Alcohol 70%

Hydrogen peroxide

DCIC (sodium-

dichloroisocyanurate)

Sodium hypochloride



Quats “old generation”

The information provided above is based upon current data available in the Public Domain. Biotech.Philippines makes no warranty as to the a

impart advice based upon the above information. E & OE Registered in Philippines. Registered Office AFP-RSBS Industrial Park, Km 12, East

Philippines

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basic guide to disinfectants

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