The most commonly used chemicals as primary disinfectants are chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone. Among them Chlorine is the most widely used primary disinfectant throughout the world.
Broad spectrum: should have a wide antimicrobial spectrum. Fast acting: should produce a rapid kill. Not affected by environmental factors: should be active in the presence of organic matter (e.g., blood, sputum, feces) and compatible with soaps, detergents, and other chemicals encountered in use.
Sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in bleach) is perhaps the best example of a chlorine compound used as a disinfectant. If used within some rather stringent parameters, bleach is a very effective and relatively inexpensive virucidal product.
Chlorine is a highly effective method of disinfection. However, while in the pipes it produces small amounts of chemicals (called “disinfection by-products”) if the source water has higher levels of dirt or germs that may react with chlorine. Chlorine is also used up quickly in water systems.
Disinfectants and antiseptics are many active chemical compounds called biocides, which can fight microorganisms on nonliving surfaces and human skin. [1] These biocides, such as alcohol, iodine, and chlorine, have been used for years.
Chlorine-containing solutions have universal disinfectant activity. With proper concentration and sufficient contact times, hypochlorite solutions can be considered chemical sterilants since they will inactivate bacterial spores.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely used biocide for disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is commercially available in a variety of concentrations ranging from 3 to 90%.
Some of the most commonly used disinfectants for decentralized applications include chlorine, iodine, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Wastewater must be adequately treated prior to disinfection in order for any disinfectant to be effective.
Other chemical disinfectants, such as iodine and chlorine dioxide, can also be effective for disinfecting water. Using or drinking water with small amounts of chlorine, iodine, or chlorine dioxide does not cause harmful health effects and provides protection against waterborne disease outbreaks.
The most common method of disinfection is through the addition of chlorine to drinking water supplies. Chlorine effectively kills waterborne bacteria and viruses and continues to keep the water safe as it travels from the treatment plant to the consumer's tap.
Hypochlorite. Hypochlorites are the most commonly used chlorine disinfectants. Sodium Hypochlorite is commercially available as household bleach. This EPA-registered chemical is stable and fast acting.
Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.
Chlorine Compounds
They have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and are inexpensive and fast acting. Hypochlorites, the most widely used of the chlorine disinfectants, are available in liquid (e.g., Sodium hypochlorite), household bleach and solid (e.g., calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate) forms.
Except for prions, bacterial spores possess the highest innate resistance to chemical germicides, followed by coccidia (e.g., Cryptosporidium), mycobacteria (e.g., M.
Disinfectants can be split into two broad groups, oxidizing and nonoxidizing. Oxidizing disinfectants include the halogens, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and chlorine dioxide, and oxygen-releasing materials such as peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
Types of disinfectants include: Air disinfectants, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Oxidizing agents, Phenolics, Quaternary ammonium compounds, Silver, and Copper alloy surfaces.
Hydrogen Peroxide
H2O2 disinfectants tend to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses quickly, are mildly acidic, and are effective cleaners. Some RTU products such as Nyco HPX Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant Cleaner will kill the SARS-CoV-2 in as little as one minute.
These include alcohols, chlorine and chlorine compounds, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, iodophors, peracetic acid, phenolics, and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Sterilization describes a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health-care facilities by physical or chemical methods.
1 - Vinegar
It's made up of 95% water and 5% acetic acid, which kills about 80% of germs. As such, it's a powerful, natural disinfectant that can be used to clean your sweat-stained clothes, wash your dishes, clean rusty tools, and remove hard water deposits. It also acts as a deodorizer and easily cuts through grease.
The results of the experiment were that bleach worked the most effectively to kill bacteria.
Isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 – 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply.