Disinfectants

EPA Registered Disinfectants
List A - Sterilant list
List B - Tuberculocides
List C - Anti HIV-1
List D - Anti HBV and anti HIV

Hyperlink to a discussion of Decontamination Methods 

Hyperlink to a discussion of Liquid Disinfectants

Some general points:

Biological agents listed according to their general resistance to germicides (most resistant at the top).

• Prions
• Protozoa (encysted)
• Bacterial Spores
• Mycobacterium
• Viruses, enveloped
• Fungi
• Viruses, non-enveloped

Suspensions are much easier to disinfect than surface adherent biologicals This is in part due to the fact that contact time is generally shorter on surfaces (the germicide evaporates)

Be careful. Don't believe everything the manufacturer claims for a disinfectant. Various factors affect the ability of a chemical to kill rganisms. They are:

• Chemical nature of the disinfectant
• Concentration of disinfectant
• Duration of treatment
• Nature of target 
  • Protein concentration
  • pH
  • Lipid concentration
  • Temperature
• Other organics

Thus a manufacturer can claim protperties for the disinfectant that apply only under certain, carefully defined conditions. Under the conidtion of normal use the disinectant may be of little value.

One must distinguish between the ability of a chemical to inhibit division (bacteriostatic, for instance) with its ability to kill (bacteriocidal)

Last update: 2 April, 2008