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) Inexpensive; easy to purchase The same product can be used for routine and special- event tasks, by

Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide/anionic surfactants) 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)

Botanicals (e.g., thymol in Benefect ® ) Noncorrosive No rinsing or wiping required Approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for use in food processing

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Silver dihydrogen citrate (e.g., in PureGreen24 ® ) No rinsing required Noncorrosive; odorless EPA registered for use on toys 24-hour residual protection

Disinfectant Characteristics

Phenols

Advantages

Readily available Readily available

changing the concentration

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.

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