Effective Disinfection Methods to Prevent Disease

The process of eliminating pathogens and microorganisms to prevent infection and disease.
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Health And Safety | Sanitation | Infection Control | Disinfection Methods | Bleach Solutions | UV Sanitizers | Alcohol Disinfectants
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Disinfection FAQ


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How does disinfecting work?

Disinfecting uses chemicals (disinfectants) to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Some common disinfectants are bleach and alcohol solutions. You usually need to leave the disinfectant on the surfaces and objects for a certain period of time to kill the germs. Disinfecting does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs.

What is a disinfection process?

Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects (Tables 1 and 2). In health-care settings, objects usually are disinfected by liquid chemicals or wet pasteurization.

Is disinfecting the same as sanitizing?

Some people think that disinfecting is same thing as cleaning or sanitizing. But they are actually different: Cleaning removes dirt, dust, crumbs, and germs from surfaces or objects. When you clean, you will likely use soap (or detergent) and water to physically clean off the surfaces and objects. This may not necessarily kill the germs.

What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

Disinfection is the reduction in the number of bacteria, viruses, or fungi to a desired concentration. Sterilization, or the complete elimination of all microorganisms, is generally not needed or in most cases not possible.

What is a disinfectant used for?

It refers to substances applied to inanimate objects. Disinfectants are grouped by product label claims of “limited,” “general,” or “hospital” disinfection. Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.

Why is disinfection important?

Disinfection is used to effectively kill and inactivate harmful microorganisms and pathogens. It is defined by the fact that germs are reduced by up to 99.9%. Due to its easy applicability and the wide range of methods, regular disinfection is a permanent fixture in laboratories, medical facilities, production plants and the like.

What is chemical disinfection?

Chemical disinfection is suitable for non-living, non-heat-resistant objects and materials, such as surfaces and medical instruments. In essence, the difference between the two types of disinfection is that one involves moist heat (thermal) and the other uses toxic chemicals to break down microorganisms.

Disinfection References

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