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Consult these charts for recommended disinfectants and their uses and requirements.
Important: These charts are intended for use by University of California, San Diego (UCSD) researchers only. Standards and requirements may differ at other institutions and businesses.
Select a topic:
Practical requirements:
|
Disinfectants
|
Practical requirements |
Inactivates
|
| Type |
Category |
Use
dilution |
Contact time |
Temp
(C) |
Relative
humidity |
Vege–
tative
bacteria |
Lipovirus |
Nonlipid
viruses |
Bacterial
spores |
| Lipovirus |
Broad
spectrum |
| Liquid |
Quaternary
ammonium
compounds |
0.1%–2.0% |
10 |
Not
effective |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
|
| Phenolics |
1.0%–5.0% |
10 |
Not
effective |
|
|
+ |
+ |
Variable
results
dependent
on virus |
|
Chlorine
compounds |
500 ppm |
10 |
30 |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
| Iodphor |
25–1600 ppm
(available halogen) |
10 |
30 |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Alcohol,
Ethyl |
70%–85% |
10 |
Not
effective |
|
|
+ |
+ |
Variable
results
dependent
on virus |
|
Alcohol,
isopropyl |
70%–85% |
10 |
Not
effective |
|
|
+ |
+ |
Variable
results
dependent
on virus |
|
| Formaldehyde |
0.2%–8.0% |
10 |
30 |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
| Glutaraldehyde |
2.0% |
10 |
30 |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
| Gas |
Ethylene oxide |
8–23 g/cubic foot |
60 |
60 |
37 |
30 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Para–
formaldehyde |
0.3 g/cubic foot |
60 |
60 |
gt;23 |
gt;60 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Important characteristics:
| Disinfectants |
Important characteristics |
| Type |
Category |
Effective
shelf life
>1 week
Protected
from light
and air |
Corrosive |
Flammable |
Explosion
Potential |
Residue |
Inacti–
vated
by
organic
matter |
Compatible
for optics*
(Read
special
consider–
ations). |
Compat–
ible
for
elec–
tronics |
Skin
irritant |
Eye
irritant |
Respi–
ratory
irritant |
Toxic
By skin or mouth, or both. Refer to manufacturer's literature and "The Merck Index." |
| Liquid |
Quaternary
ammonium
compounds |
+ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
Phenolic
compounds |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
| Chlorine |
|
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
| Iodophor |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
Alcohol,
ethyl |
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
Alcohol,
isoprophyl |
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
| Formaldehyde |
+ |
|
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
| Glutaraldehyde |
+ |
|
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
| Gas |
Ethylene
Oxide |
N/A |
|
+
Neither
flammable nor explosive in 90% CO2, or fluorinated hydrocarbon, the usual form |
+
Neither
flammable nor explosive in 90% CO2, or fluorinated hydrocarbon, the usual form |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Parafor-
maldehyde |
N/A |
|
+
At concentrations of 7%-73% by volume in air, solid-exposure to open flame |
+
At concentrations of 7%-73% by volume in air, solid-exposure to open flame |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
*Special considerations (compatible for optics): Usually compatible, but consider interferences from residues and effects on associated materials such as mounting. Return to top
|
Potential applications:
| Disinfectants |
Potential applications |
Type |
Category |
Work surfaces |
Dirty glass–
ware |
Large
area
decon |
Air
handling
systems |
Portable
equip–
ment
surface |
Portable
equip–
ment
penetrat–
ing
decon |
Fixed
equip–
ment
surface |
Fixed
equip–
ment
penetrat–
ing
decon |
Optical
instru–
ments |
Electronic
instru–
ments |
Liquids
for discard |
Books
papers |
| Liquid |
Quaternary
ammonium
compounds |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
Phenolic
Compounds |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Chlorine |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
+ |
|
| Iodophor |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
Alcohol,
ethyl |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
Alcohol
isoprophyl |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Formaldehyde |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Glutaraldehyde |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Gas |
Ethylene
oxide |
|
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
Parafor–
maldehyde |
|
|
+ |
+ |
|
+ |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
Examples of proprietary disinfectants:
| Disinfectants |
Examples of proprietary disinfectants |
| Type |
Category |
| Liquid |
Quaternary ammonium compounds
|
A-33, CDQ, End-Bac, Hi-Tor, Mikro-Quat
|
|
Phenolic compounds
|
Hil-Phene, Matar, Midro-Bac, O-Syl
|
|
Chlorine compounds
|
Cholramine T, Chlorox, Purex
|
|
Iodophor
|
Hy-sine, Ioprep, Mikroklene, Wescodyne
|
|
Alcohol, ethyl
|
N/A
|
|
Alcohol, isoprophyl
|
N/A
|
|
Formaldehyde
|
Sterac
|
|
Glutaraldehyde
|
Cidex
|
| Gas |
Ethylene oxide
|
Carboxide, Cryoxicide, Steroxicide
|
|
Parafomaldehyde
|
N/A
|
Disinfectants available from Marketplace Preview:
|
|
|
Product
|
Description
|
Order number
|
| Bleach |
1 gallon liquid, household bleach |
|
| Iodophor |
1 gallon Wescodyne |
|
| Ethyl alcohol |
5 gallons, 95% ethyl alcohol
(190 proof) |
|
| Isopropyl alcohol |
16 ounces, 70% isopropyl |
|
| Red Z |
15 ounce
biohazard encapsulator |
|
If you are a UCSD employee and have questions, contact EH&S Biosafety, (858) 534-5366.
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