According to Webster, disinfect is to cleanse so as to destroy or prevent the growth of disease carrying microorganisms. Therefore a disinfectant is an agent, such as heat, irradiation or chemical that disinfects by destroying, neutralizing or inhibiting the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms.
EPA further defines disinfectants as products that are used on hard inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate fungi and bacteria but not necessarily their spores. Disinfectant products are divided into two major types: hospital and general use. Hospital type disinfectants are the most critical to infection control and are used on medical instruments, floors, walls, bed linens and other surfaces. General disinfectants are the major source of products used in households, swimming pools and water purifiers.
Why Disinfect?
Almost every environment on the planet contains bacteria and microorganisms. You might be surprised to learn that on one square inch of human skin there are more than 600,000 bacteria. Most bacteria are harmless to humans. But disease-causing organisms – called pathogens – can be dangerous or even deadly. One of the most contagious and dangerous diseases in recent history is COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Using the right types of disinfectants routinely on surfaces throughout your facility is critical in helping prevent the spread of sicknesses and diseases like COVID, Influenza (flu) and the common cold. Since there are many types of disinfectants on the market, it’s important to understand how they work – including their pros and cons— in order to make an informed decision on how to best disinfect and protect the occupants of your facility.
List Of Disinfectants For Use Against COVID-19
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created and regularly updates a list of disinfectant products that are effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This list is commonly referred to as “ List N “All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These products are for use on surfaces, NOT humans.
EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:
- Demonstrate efficacy against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19);
- Demonstrate efficacy against a pathogen that is harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); or
- Demonstrate efficacy against a different human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
You can download the full list of N list disinfectants Here
List N Disinfectant Results Table – Explore
