School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Appendix B: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

x Use dilution – This is the concentration at which the product has been tested and shown to be effective. More concentrated solutions may not always be better in a particular situation, and can be more toxic. A product may be diluted at different concentrations for different uses. Examples: o Ready to use. o Add X ounces of product to one gallon of water. x Application – A description of how the product should be applied and the most effective application equipment. Select application methods that minimize exposure to the product. Example: o Apply with a wet sponge, cloth, mop, or sprayer. x Contact (e.g., dwell or kill) time o Each product has a specific contact time for which the product must stay wet on the surface for the product to be in contact with and kill the microbes. Contact times are 10 minutes or less; longer times may be listed only when the treated item is to be immersed in the product. o The product is proven effective only at this exposure time. x Post-application instructions Examples: o Let air dry. o Rinse food-contact surfaces with potable water. (For disinfectant products with claims for food-contact surfaces.) o Do not rinse surfaces that contact food. (For food-contact sanitizer products.) Storage Most, if not all, disinfectant labels will contain a general statement in this section such as “Do not contaminate water, food, or feed by storage, disposal, or cleaning of equipment” and “Store in original containers only.” Special conditions to be aware of include temperature and moisture: x Temperature – Minimum and maximum temperature storage requirements maybe be specified. o Some disinfectants become ineffective or degrade if not stored under suitable temperatures. Light and heat can degrade some products. o The effectiveness of some disinfectants can increase or decrease with temperature levels. x Moisture – The amount of moisture can be a concern with dry disinfectants, including granular materials and wetable powders, which have a strong affinity for water. Example:

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