School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

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

Active Ingredient in Institutional Disinfectant Produc ts

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite, 5.25% concentration)

Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide/anionic surfactants)

Botanicals (e.g., thymol in Benefect ® )

Quaternary ammonium compounds

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

Disinfectant Characteristics

Phenols

EPA toxicity category* Precleaning needed

Category I

Category I or II

Category III

Category IV

Category IV

Category III or IV, product specific

Surfaces must be precleaned. 1 Best practices advise

Surfaces must be pre-cleaned; see specific product information sheet Best practices advise precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting Stable in storage Flammable if in aerosol form. 3

Product specific Some products registered as one-step disinfectant cleaners Best practices advise precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting

Surfaces must be precleaned according to label instructions Best practices advise

Surfaces must be precleaned according to label instructions Best practices advise

Registered as one-step disinfectant cleaners Best practices advise precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting

precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting

precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting

precleaning all surfaces before disinfecting

Storage

If used for disinfecting purposes, bleach

Stable in storage

Stable in storage 2-year shelf life

Stable in storage No expiration date required

Stable in storage 2-year shelf life

should not be stored longer than 3 months When mixed with water, the solution is effective as a disinfectant only for 24 hours 2 Effective against most bacteria and some viruses Registered as effective against HIV, HBV, H1N1, MRSA, and TB* ,4

Effectiveness

Read product label for effectiveness against specific microbes

Generally effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including MRSA and H1N1, but typically not proven effective against spores Read product label for effectiveness against TB

Effective against a broad spectrum of microbes including H1N1, TB, and MRSA Read product label

Effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including MRSA, norovirus, and H1N1 Read product label

Effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including H1N1, norovirus, and MRSA Read product label for specific claims, including effectiveness against TB

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