School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

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: www.epa.gov/pesticides/dfepilot. There is a * Notes section at the end of the chart that provides additional information on the criteria used to compare the disinfectants.

Active Ingredient in Institutional Disinfectant Produc ts

Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide/anionic surfactants)

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite, 5.25% concentration) Will not pass DfE screen (see below) EPA-registered chlorine bleach at a 5.25% dilution (use only EPA-registered

Silver dihydrogen citrate (e.g., in PureGreen24 ® )

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Botanicals (e.g., thymol in Benefect ® ) Will not pass DfE screen (see below) Plant-based products with natural disinfecting characteristics

Disinfectant Characteristics Status of DfE review*

Phenols

Will not pass DfE screen (see below) Ready-to-use product Usually an aerosol Warning – not intended for use as an air freshener Can be low level or intermediate; noted on label

Will not pass DfE screen (see below)

Currently under review by DfE

Has passed the DfE screen

Product description

Many products use QACs as the active ingredient

Combination of citric acid and a minute amount of silver ions

Hydrogen peroxide in synergy with a blend of commonly used ingredients

products for disinfecting)

CDC disinfection level*

Intermediate-level disinfectant

Low-level disinfectant

Intermediate-level disinfectant

Low-level disinfectant

Product-specific low- or intermediate-level disinfectant

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