Definition
Disinfectants are a set of substances belonging to the group of anti-infective agents and used for the disinfection of environments, surfaces and objects of various kinds.
Of course, the purpose of disinfection is to reduce or eliminate - as needed - the microbial load present in the environment or on the objects to be used.
However, it should be remembered that disinfection can be achieved not only through the use of chemical disinfectants, but also through physical means, such as, for example, heat and high-energy ultraviolet or electromagnetic radiation. Generally, these methods they are used to disinfect materials on which chemical disinfectants do not produce optimal results, or in the event that there is an "incompatibility between the material to be disinfected and the disinfectant itself.
Choice of Disinfectant
The choice of the disinfectant to use can depend on several factors, such as:
- The type of object, environment or surface it intends to disinfect;
- The final use of what must be disinfected (it is clear, in fact, that the disinfection of an operating room will require different criteria and types of disinfectants than the disinfection of a domestic environment);
- The degree of disinfection to be achieved.
Regarding this last point, it should be remembered that there are different levels of disinfection, which can be broadly summarized as follows:
- Medium-low level disinfection, consisting in the elimination of most of the microorganisms present on the surface or in the environment that we intend to disinfect;
- High level disinfection, consisting in the elimination of all pathogenic microorganisms from the object or environment in question;
- Sterilization, consisting in the elimination of all microorganisms present, pathogenic and non-pathogenic, including spores.
Types of Disinfectants
There are numerous types of disinfectants, which can be used to achieve different degrees of disinfection, as needed.
The various types of disinfectants can be classified according to their chemical structure, or according to the use made of them. For example, according to this last classification criterion, disinfectants could be divided into disinfectants for environments and disinfectants for surfaces, tools, equipment, etc.
In any case, without going too far into the classification methods, the main disinfectants currently used will be briefly described below.
Halogenated compounds
Among the disinfectants containing halogens in their chemical structure, certainly the best known are hypochlorites and, in particular, sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as "bleach").
Hypochlorites are inorganic compounds used mainly for the disinfection of environments. They possess a broad spectrum of action and a rapid onset of action; therefore, they are very useful in daily disinfection operations. Usually, they are used in concentrations greater than or equal to 1,000 ppm (parts per million).
Sodium dichloroisocyanurate, an organic compound widely used as a disinfectant in swimming pool waters, also belongs to this category of disinfectants.
The chlorine compounds allow to obtain a medium-high degree of disinfection and are also endowed with a mild sporicidal action. They substantially expose their activity through the oxidation of the proteins of microorganisms.
Alcohols
Ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol belong to this group of disinfectants. These compounds are also used as antiseptic agents, therefore for the disinfection of the skin (not injured). However, their use can also be extended to the disinfection of surfaces, environments and - where possible - of (non-surgical) instruments.
Generally, alcohols are used in concentrations that can vary between 60% and 70-75%. The level of disinfection obtained is of medium-low type and they do not show sporicidal activity. Their disinfectant action is carried out through the protein denaturation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Aldehydes
Among the disinfectants belonging to this group we find glutaraldehyde (or glutaraldehyde) and ortho-phthalaldehyde.
Aldehyde disinfectants are mainly used in the medical and surgical fields, and allow to obtain a high level of disinfection. They are mostly used to disinfect instruments, but they must be handled with care and only by expert personnel, as they are toxic if ingested or inhaled and irritating to skin and mucous membranes.
Glutaraldehyde is generally used in concentrations of 2% and has a broad spectrum of action, although its activity against spores and mycobacteria is rather slow; therefore, it can require a long disinfection time.
On the other hand, ortho-phthalaldehyde has no activity on spores, while it is capable of killing microorganisms (including mycobacteria) at room temperature and in a relatively short time. Usually, it is used in concentrations of 0.55%.
Heterocyclic compounds
Among the disinfectants with heterocyclic structure, the most used and best known is certainly ethylene oxide. This organic compound is widely used in the surgical and pharmaceutical fields (for the sterilization of instruments, containers or thermolabile pharmaceutical preparations, in which the heat sterilization is not possible) and food.
With the use of ethylene oxide it is possible to obtain a real sterilization; not surprisingly, it has bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and sporicidal activities. At room temperature, ethylene oxide appears as a highly flammable colorless gas.
Given its characteristics - similarly to what happens for disinfectants with aldehyde chemical structure - "ethylene oxide" must be handled with great care and attention, and only by expert personnel, as it is toxic and potentially explosive.
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