Whether you work in a hospital, a restaurant or any other type of facility, it is important to know what types of commercial disinfectants are available. These can be divided into two groups: the alcohol-based and the quaternary ammonium-based.

Alcohol-based disinfectants

Currently, alcohol-based commercial disinfectants are used in many industries for cleaning and sanitization. They are bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal. They are often used in food preparation areas and medication preparation areas. They are also used in industrial and municipal cleaning. In addition, they are used in the sanitization of electronic equipment.

In order to ensure safety and effectiveness, the use of sanitizers that contain methanol or formaldehyde should be avoided. They are a suspected human carcinogen and can cause health problems. It is also a corrosive agent and can damage plastics. They also have irritating fumes.

Generally, alcohol-based commercial disinfectants are safe. But alcohol is flammable and should be stored in a cool, dry place. It must be labeled and kept out of reach of children. In addition, they must be stored in the original labeled containers.

Quaternary ammonium-based disinfectants

Several studies have shown that quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are effective against a variety of germs. They are used in disinfectants to destroy bacteria and viruses. They also are found in a range of consumer products. Besides being effective against a wide range of microbes, they are considered to be safe for use.

QACs are widely used in hospitals and in other healthcare settings, in the transportation industry, and in household cleaners. They are also used in foodservice locations. They have been detected in sediments, surface waters, and wastewater. They are therefore highly regulated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered many QACs as active ingredients in antimicrobial products.

EPA has approved benzethonium chloride as a hard surface disinfectant. This may warrant further study. The EPA has also started to approve products that have a longer-lasting effect on surfaces.

Phenolic-based disinfectants

Using disinfectants is one way to control the spread of diseases. But disinfectants can cause side effects, and they need to be used with caution. There are many different kinds of disinfectants on the market. Some are phenolic-based, which are bactericidal and fungicidal. Others are alcohol-based, which are virucidal and tuberculocidal.

These disinfectants are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to measure their effectiveness against bacteria and germs. They must also be used within specified time limits and in accordance with the chemical-physical properties of the surfaces being disinfected.

The use of disinfectants is increasing worldwide, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) released guidelines on the effective disinfection of surfaces. Some disinfectants have been reported to be toxic to human beings.

Air disinfectants

Currently, airlines are spraying disinfectants on the armrests, overhead bins and other parts of the cabin. This will prevent the viral matter from settling on hard-to-reach areas.

However, many air cleaning products generate reactive oxidative species (ROS), which can cause health risks. To ensure proper disinfection, it is important to know which disinfectants work best.

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant against bacteria and viruses. However, it can be harmful at high concentrations, as it can damage materials and corrode. It is also a strong bleaching agent.

Another disinfectant is peracetic acid, a natural chemical. It is a weaker oxidizer than hydrogen peroxide. It breaks down into water and oxygen. It is often used as a dilution with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect surfaces.