Ann Clin Microbiol 2024;27(3):171-177. Roles of clinical microbiology in hospital environmental cleaning and disinfection: a narrative review
| Disinfectants | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Kills bacteria, mycobacterium, fungus, virus. Fast, no corrosion, no stain, easy to use, nontoxic | Not sporicidal and slow to norovirus. Affected by organic material. Damage to rubber and deteriorate glue. Flammable and evaporates rapidly. Not EPA registered |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Kills bacteria, mycobacterium, fungus, virus, and spores. Fast, cheap, nonflammable, relatively stable, unaffected by water hardness (water treatment), EPA-registered | Leaves salt residue, stain, and discoloration. Corrosion of metals and odor. Unstable (ready to use product). Affected by organic matter |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Kills bacteria, mycobacterium, fungus, virus. Fast, easy to use, safe (lowest EPA toxicity), no stain, not flammable, surface compatible, EPA-registered | Not sporicidal at low concentration |
| Iodophors | Kills bacteria, mycobacterium, and virus. Nonflammable | Not sporicidal and prolonged contact time for viruses (mainly for antiseptic use). Stain and silicone degradation. Not EPA registered |
| Phenolics | Kills bacteria, mycobacterium, fungus, virus. Cheap, no stain, nonflammable, EPA-registered | Not sporicidal. Absorbed by porous material. Irritation of tissue and depigmentation of skin |
| Quaternary ammonium compounds | Kills bacteria, fungus, and enveloped virus. Surface compatible, cheap, persistently active, EPA-registered | Not sporicidal, tuberculocidal and virucidal (nonenveloped virus). High water hardness. Affected by organic matter. Absorbed by cotton and some wipes |
| Peracetic acid | Kills bacteria, fungus, virus, and spores. Unaffected by organic material. Surface compatible, EPA-registered | No stain. Odor and mucous irritation. Brass or copper incompatibility |
Abbreviation: EPA, US Environmental Protection Agency.