Page 64 - School Infection Control Handbook - 2010
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Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems
59
Chapter 4.B. Comparing Disinfectants:
Comparison Chart for Hard-Surface Disinfectants Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
This chart was designed to provide “at-a-glance” information comparing the most common types of disinfectants used in school settings and
the most current, less-hazardous alternative products on the market today. Because the market rapidly changes, with new products constantly
emerging, a blank chart at the end of this section is provided for use in comparing products not listed here.
One important development that will help in the selection of the least-toxic disinfectant in the near future is the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) Antimicrobial Pesticide Pilot Project. This project is set up as a 36-month pilot that will
screen disinfectants against the DfE Standard and allow the companies that meet the criteria to label their products with a DfE logo. Approved
products will be posted at the EPA Web site:
.
There is a *
Notes
section at the end of the chart that provides additional information on the criteria used to compare the disinfectants.
Disinfectant
Characteristics
Active Ingredient in Institutional Disinfectant Produc
ts
Bleach (sodium
hypochlorite,
5.25%
concentration)
Phenols
Quaternary
ammonium
compounds
Botanicals (e.g.,
thymol in
Benefect
®
)
Silver dihydrogen
citrate (e.g., in
PureGreen24
®
)
Accelerated hydrogen
peroxide (hydrogen
peroxide/anionic
surfactants)
Status of DfE
review*
Will not pass DfE
screen (see below)
Will not pass DfE
screen (see below)
Will not pass DfE screen
(see below)
Will not pass DfE
screen (see below)
Currently under
review by DfE
Has passed the DfE screen
Product
description
EPA-registered
chlorine bleach at a
5.25% dilution (use
only EPA-registered
products for
disinfecting)
Ready-to-use
product
Usually an aerosol
Warning – not
intended for use as
an air freshener
Many products use
QACs as the active
ingredient
Plant-based products
with natural
disinfecting
characteristics
Combination of citric
acid and a minute
amount of silver ions
Hydrogen peroxide in
synergy with a blend of
commonly used
ingredients
CDC
disinfection
level*
Intermediate-level
disinfectant
Can be low level
or intermediate;
noted on label
Low-level disinfectant
Intermediate-level
disinfectant
Low-level
disinfectant
Product-specific low- or
intermediate-level
disinfectant
