Comparing Surface Disinfectants
|
Chlorine Dioxide |
Alcohol |
Formaldehyde |
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds |
Peracetic Acid |
Overview |
Chlorine Dioxide is used for a variety of antimicrobial uses, including surface and drinking water disinfection |
“Alcohol” refers to two water-soluble chemical compounds—ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol—that are germicidal |
Formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant and sterilant in both its liquid and gaseous states. |
The quaternary ammonium compounds are widely used as disinfectants. |
Peracetic, or peroxyacetic, acid is characterized by rapid action against all microorganisms. |
Mode of Action |
Denaturation of proteins |
Denaturation of proteins |
Inactivates microorganisms by alkylating the amino and sulfhydral groups of proteins and ring nitrogen atoms of purine bases |
Inactivation of energy-producing enzymes, denaturation of proteins, and disruption of the cell membrane |
Denaturation of proteins |
Bactericidal |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Bacteriostatic |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Mycobacterial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Fungicidal |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Virucidal |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Only Against Lipophilic Viruses |
Yes |
Sporicidal |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Corrosive To Materials |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Harmful When Exposed to Humans |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Carcinogen |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Eco-Friendly |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260154/
- https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(51)91705-5/pdf
- https://www.echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/8a848101-7853-2672-be2e-49a5475a0c64
- https://www.echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/8a848101-7853-2672-be2e-49a5475a0c64