SafetyNet #51 - Selecting Chemical Disinfectants
The proper selection and use of disinfectants is essential for safety and quality control. Disinfectants have various characteristics that must be considered before one is selected for a particular use. The disinfectant table on the back lists the disinfectants most commonly used in laboratories, some commercially available products, general use parameters, important characteristics, potential applications, and general types of organisms they are effective against. This list should be used as a general guide for selection in meeting your particular requirements. Additional references should be obtained and, if necessary, actual testing should be done to determine the most effective disinfectant and use parameters. The application of the indicated concentrations and contact times of the disinfectants have not been assumed to result in a sterile state.
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Note: |
The US/EPA and Cal/EPA have defined disinfectants (antimicrobials) as pesticides. All EPA registered antimicrobials must be used according to California worker safety regulations. This includes commonly used disinfectants such as Clorox bleach or Roccal. For additional information regarding California worker safety regulations, contact your EH&S Safety Advisor, EH&S at 752-1493 or ehsdesk@ucdavis.edu. |
General Reference
- BioSafety Reference Manual, Second Edition. 1995. American Industrial Hygiene Association, Biosafety Committee. Baltimore, MD.
Disinfectant Table
| Disinfectant | Effective Against | Use Parameters | Characteristics |
| Alcohols | Variable against some bacterial and fungal species | 70% | Good general use disinfectant, fast acting, leaves no residue, and compatibly combined with other disinfectants (quaternaries, phenolics, and iodine) to form tinctures.Flammable, not to be used near a flame. |
| Aldehydes | Effective against wide spectrum of bacteria and viruses. Sporicidal when used properly (10 hour contact period) | Good activity against vegetative bacteria, spores and viruses. | |
| 1)Formaldehyde Solutions | 8% | Toxic properties | |
| 2)Formaldehyde-Alcohol Solutions | 8% in 70% alcohol | Toxic properties | |
| 3)Activated Glutaraldehyde | 2% solutions | Limited and controlled use because of its toxic properties and potential damage to eyes, must only be used in ventilated hood, and limited stability after activation (for alkaline glutaraldehyde). | |
| Chlorine Compounds | Good disinfectant for cleanup of blood or body fluids spills. | 1:10 dilution (500 ppm available chlorine with tap water) | Biocidal effect on M. tuberculosis, S. aureus, other vegetative bacteria, and HIV after 10-20 minutes, 1:5 dilution (250 ppm) for bacterial spores and mycobacteria, decay rate of diluted chlorine bleach stored at room temperature in a closed plastic container will deteriorate by one half after one month, neutralizes rapidly in the presence of organic matter, good for decontamination of HBV, HCV, HIV, and cleanup of biohazardous spills.Undiluted bleach for surface disinfecting after possible contamination with the CJD virus; however NIH is recommending 1.0 N NaOH. |
| Iodophor | Vegetative bacteria and viruses. | 100 ppm available iodine | Poor activity against bacterial spores, rapid biocidal action, effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, some viruses, and tubercle bacilli, most effective in acid solutions, vaporize at 120°F to 125°F (should not be used in hot water), effectiveness reduced by organic matter, stable in storage if kept cool and tightly covered, built in indicator (still active if solution brown or yellow) and may tarnish silver, silver plate, and copper. |
| Mercurials | Poor activity against vegetative bacteria and are not effective on spores. | Toxic and not recommended. | |
| Phenolic compounds | Vegetative bacteria, fungi and lipid-containing viruses | 500 ppm active agent | Low solubility in water, stable in storage, germicidal against Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms and tubercle bacilli, effective over large pH range, limited sporicidal activity, prolonged contact deteriorates rubber, can cause skin and eye irritation.Not for use on food contact surfaces. Drain disposal prohibited at UC Davis. |
| Quaternary ammonium compounds | Acceptable to control vegetative bacteria and non-lipid-containing viruses. | 400 ppm active agent | Stable in storage, no odor but act as deodorizers, non-irritating to skin but avoid skin or eye contact, effective at temperatures up to 212°F, effective against Gram-positive organisms, bacteriostatic in high dilutions, ineffective against tubercle bacilli, spores and viruses, more effective in alkaline than acid solutions, neutralized by soap, and effectiveness reduced by organic material. |
Rev. 05/2004
FLJ