Properties of disinfectants

Published May 30, 2019

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Consider printing and displaying these quick-reference tables to ensure team members are choosing effective disinfectants for your hospital.

Antimicrobial spectrum of disinfectants

This table provides the antimicrobial spectrum for selected disinfectant chemical classes, including information on suceptibility of the following organisms:
- Parvoviruses
- Mycoplasmas
- Gram positive and gram negative bacteria
- Pseudomonads
- Rickettsiae
- Viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped)
- And more.

Characterisitics of selected disinfectants

This table provides general information for each disinfectant chemical classes including:
- Oxidizing agents (peroxygen compounds and halogens)
- Alcohols
- Alkalis
- Aldehydes
- Phenols
- Quaternary ammonium compounds

Antimicrobial activity may vary with formulation and concentration.

Active Agent

Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (oxidizing agent)

Product Examples	Rescue, Prevail
Contact Time, min	1-10
Advantages	Broad spectrum, with activity against nonenveloped viruses, bacterial spores, and dermatophytes. Good activity in moderate organic debris. Low toxicity. Biodegradable. Does not appear to be corrosive, unlike other oxidizing agents.
Disadvantages	More expensive than other options.
Comments	Excellent choice for environmental disinfection.

Hypochlorite

Product Examples	Bleach; 1:10–1:50 dilution of household bleach
Contact Time, min	1–5
Advantages	Broad spectrum effective against most resistant organisms (nonenveloped viruses, bacterial spores, dermatophytes). Readily available. Cost-effective.
Disadvantages	Corrosive for some surfaces. Poor stability when exposed to light. Poorly active in the presence of organic debris (e.g., dirt, feces). Can discolor fabrics.
Comments	Good for various environmental surfaces. Efficacy decreases with increasing pH, decreasing temperature, presence of ammonia and nitrogen. Reserve high concentration (1:10) for specific circumstances with resistant microorganisms. 1:32–1:50 more commonly used. Never mix with other chemicals. Change diluted solutions daily. Do not store in clear containers.

Potassium peroxymonosulfate (oxidizing agent)

Product Examples	Virkon, Trifectant
Contact Time, min	10
Advantages	Broad spectrum, with activity against nonenveloped viruses and bacterial spores. Active in the presence of moderate organic debris.
Disadvantages	Corrosive, especially with metal surfaces. Masks should be worn when mixing powdered solutions
Comments	Commonly used routine disinfectant. Care must be taken when handling concentrated product. Consider rinsing metal and concrete surfaces after required contact time.

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Product Examples	Various
Contact Time, min	10–30
Advantages	Low cost. Low toxicity. Stable under storage. Good against Gram-negative, many Gram-positive bacteria, and enveloped viruses.
Disadvantages	Limited impact on nonenveloped viruses, bacterial spores, dermatophytes. Inhibited by organic debris.
Comments	Common environmental disinfectant, but spectrum may be inadequate for some situations.

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