Page 68 - School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems
63
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)
Advantages Inexpensive; easy to
purchase
The same product
can be used for
routine and special-
event tasks, by
changing the
concentration
Readily available Readily available Noncorrosive
No rinsing or wiping
required
Approved by the
Canadian Food
Inspection Agency for
use in food processing
No rinsing required
Noncorrosive;
odorless
EPA registered for
use on toys
24-hour residual
protection
Readily available
Noncorrosive in diluted
form; some products are
odorless
No rinsing required except
if direct skin or oral
contact can occur (e.g.,
children’s toys)
Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; U.S. GRAS, United States Generally
Recognized As Safe; HBV, hepatitis B virus; H1N1, a subtype of influenza virus A; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; MRSA, methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus; MSDS, material safety data sheet; PPE, personal protective equipment; QAC, quaternary ammonium compounds; TB,
tuberculosis.
*Notes:
CDC disinfection level – The CDC defines three levels of disinfection (i.e., the use of a chemical procedure that eliminates virtually all recognized
pathogenic microorganisms but not necessarily all microbial forms [e.g., bacterial endospores] on inanimate objects):
x High-level disinfection kills all organisms, except high levels of bacterial spores, and is effected using a chemical germicide cleared for
marketing as a sterilant by the FDA. Typically not used for generalized disinfecting.
x Intermediate-level disinfection kills mycobacterium, most viruses, and bacteria using a chemical germicide registered as a “tuberculocide” by
the EPA.
x Low-level disinfection kills some viruses and bacteria using a chemical germicide registered as a hospital disinfectant by the EPA.
Costs – When comparing costs, life-cycle costs must be considered. Although a product may be less expensive to buy, its negative impact on surface
materials may require replacing hard surfaces more frequently, may increase worker’s compensation claims, and may cause environmental damage.
Design for the Environment and the Office of Pesticide Programs – Organizations conducting a limited pilot project that would allow for the
identification and labeling of the least-toxic disinfection products currently on the market. Products containing the following active ingredients will not be
approved for inclusion in the project: QACs; sodium hypochlorite (bleach); ortho-phenylphenol (2 phenylphenol); thymol.