DISINFECTION

SOLUTIONS
By Thando Mabizela – Group 24
CONTENTS

■ HISTORY OF DISINFECTION
■ DISINFECTION AND DISINFECTANTS
■ DIFFERENT TYPES OF DISINFECTANTS
■ CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH DISINFECTANT
■ THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DISINFECTANT
 HISTORY OF DISINFECTION
■ Surface cleaning and disinfection dates back as far as thousands
of years ago, when Egyptians used wine or vinegar to clean.
■ Scientists demanded that Sulphur be burnt in houses, to detoxify
and purify spaces.
■ Mercury was used for disinfecting surfaces.
■ Antonie Van Leuwenhook’s discovery of microorganisms in
1675.
■ In 1862, Louis Pasteur, a Frenchman, proved that bacteria can
only evolve from existing bacterial cells and not from inanimate
matter.
■ He then developed, and pioneered the procedures of
disinfection, sterilization and pasteurisation.
 DISINFECTION AND DISINFECTANT
■ Disinfection – The process of eliminating pathogens from equipment, innate surfaces,
instruments, etc.
■ Disinfectant – A chemical agent (or physical) that is used to disinfect surfaces, water, or
biological samples, to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of
pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
TYPES OF DISINFECTANTS

■ There are two types of disinfectants, namely, chemical disinfectants and physical
disinfectants.
■ Chemical disinfectants make use of chemical substances, such as Hydrogen Peroxide,
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Alcohols, Phenols, Chlorine compounds, and
Aldehydes.
■ The physical disinfectant are used less commonly. They include, Heat, Sunlight, UV
lighting.
■ Chemical methods are mostly used because they’re user friendly and easily obtainable.
PHYSICAL METHODS OF
DISINFECTION
■ Heat – Works by denaturing or coagulating enzymes and proteins within the virus,
causing cell death, and can also cause dehydration of cell death of virus.
■ Ultra Violet light – the photons in the UV light cause damage to nucleic acid, and
intracellular proteins inactivation of pathogen.
■ Solar energy ( Sunlight ) – May not supply enough heating alone, often used in
conjunction with UV light, and also works in inactivating virus nucleic action.

DISADVANTAGE : BACTERIA CAN REPAIR DNA

DAMAGE!!!
CHEMICAL METHODS OF
DISINFECTION
■ Hydrogen Peroxide – The safest, most ‘green’ and ‘efficient’ disinfectant. Disinfects in
1 minute but can be equally dangerous if used incorrectly. Works by producing
destructive hydroxyl free radicals that can attack membrane lipids, DNA, etc.
■ Quaternary Ammonium Compounds – The most chosen choice of disinfectants in
hospitals. It has positively charged particles that bind to negatively charged particles of
virus, and begin to destroy cellular contents.
■ Alcohols – They kill viruses through denaturation. Alcohols break down virus proteins,
they lose structure, and cannot function properly. Although, higher concentration might
be needed to adequately wet the surface. Not effective with organic matter.
■ Phenols – Destroy cell membrane integrity, inactivation of their enzymes. Effective
against Tuberculosis microbes.
MORE DISINFECTANTS…
■ Chlorine – commonly known as bleach. Breaks down the pathogens chemical bonds
in their molecules. Can kill germs on surfaces, but more effective in killing viruses.
■ Aldehydes – They act by alkylating groups in proteins and other important cellular
molecules disrupts pH of cell the cell cannot function optimally.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SUSTAINABLE
DISINFECTANT
■ Effectiveness - Does the disinfectant kill the microbes and pathogens that are on top of
your concern in your facility?
■ Kill Time – How quickly does the disinfectant product kill a specific pathogen, and does
it wet the surface?
■ Safety – Is the product safe to use for people and safe for the surfaces it is being applied
to?
■ Ease of Use – Are the steps required to use a given disinfectant practical for your
facility?