4 hour of Cosmo CE

TYPES OF DISINFECTANTS

Chlorine bleach:Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant. Its active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, denatures protein in micro-organisms and is therefore effective in killing bacteria, fungus and viruses. Household bleach works quickly and is widely available at a low cost. Diluted household bleach is thus recommended for the disinfection of facilities.

As bleach irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the airway, decomposes under heat or light and reacts readily with other chemicals, caution should be exercised in the use of it. Improper use of bleach may reduce its effectiveness in disinfection and also lead to accidents which can be harmful to health. Overuse of bleach or using a bleach solution that is too concentrated results in the production of toxic substances that pollute the environment and disturb ecological balance.

Tools and Equipment
Before cleaning get all necessary tools and equipment ready. Cleaning tools, cleansers/disinfectants, measuring tools and protective gear will be needed:

Cleaning tools: Brush, mop, towel, spray can and bucket.

Cleansers/disinfectants: Bleach and water.

Measuring tools: Tablespoon and measuring cup.

Protective gear: Mask, rubber gloves, plastic apron and goggles (recommended).

Procedures of Preparing/Using Diluted Bleach

1. Keep windows open when diluting or using bleach to ensure good ventilation.

2. Put on protective gear when diluting or using bleach as it irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the airway.

3. Cold water should be used for dilution as hot water decomposes the active ingredient of bleach and renders it ineffective.

4. Based on products with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and should be diluted as:

– According to rules 83.100. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C)

– No matter what concentration of solution is used, only the outside layer of the material to be disinfected is bound with the chlorine molecules in the bleach solution, unless the object is entirely soaked through. Complete soaking is more easily achieved when greater quantities of water are used. Therefore, it is recommended that the material being sprayed or poured over be thoroughly drenched, in order to maximize penetration of the material.

5. For accurate measurement of the amount of bleach added, a tablespoon or measuring cup can be used.

6. Rinse disinfected articles with water and wipe dry.

7. Cleaning tools should be soaked in diluted bleach and then rinsed thoroughly before reuse.

8. Finally, wash hands with liquid soap, then dry hands with a clean towel or disposable towel.

Precautions

• Avoid using bleach on metals, wool, nylon, silk, dyed fabric and painted surfaces.

• Avoid touching the eyes. If bleach gets into the eyes, immediately rinse with water for at least 15 minutes and consult a doctor.

Bleach should not be used together or mixed with other household detergents as this reduces its effectiveness in disinfection and causes chemical reactions. For instance, a toxic gas is produced when bleach is mixed with acidic detergents such as those used for toilet cleaning. This could result in accidents and injuries. If necessary, use detergents first and rinse thoroughly with water before using bleach for disinfection.

As undiluted bleach liberates a toxic gas when exposed to sunlight, it should be stored in a cool and shaded place out of reach of children.

• Sodium hypochlorite decomposes with time. To ensure its effectiveness, it is advised to purchase recently produced bleach and avoid over-stocking.

For effective disinfection, diluted bleach should be used within 24 hours after preparation as decomposition increases with time if left unused.

DISINFECTANTS AND THE EPA

In the United States, disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners must be reviewed and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can be offered for sale. EPA assigns a registration number for each product and that number must be clearly displayed on every container of the product. Companies submitting disinfectants for registration are required to include current efficacy data to prove that their product kills ALL of the microorganisms listed on the product label. For instance, if the product label claims to kill staphylococcus aureus, then test data must be submitted to EPA to prove that the product when diluted according to label directions kills the staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

The tests used to measure the effectiveness of disinfectants on various pathogenic (disease causing) organisms are called, efficacy tests. The EPA must pre-approve all efficacy test methods used to measure the effectiveness of disinfectants against specific microorganisms. The most common efficacy test prescribed by EPA is the Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) Use Dilution Confirmation Test. Currently, for a disinfectant cleaner to be registered by EPA as hospital strength; it must be effective at its recommended dilution in killing targeted pathogens in the presence of 400 ppm hard water and 5% organic serum. It must kill 100% of the targeted test organisms.

DISINFECTANTS AND DISINFECTANT CLEANERS

Disinfectants require the removal of soils from a surface before they are effective. Disinfectant cleaners combine the cleaner and disinfectant into a one-step process. A disinfectant-cleaner is diluted and then used to remove soils and kill germs all in one application. One step disinfectant-cleaners save labor time and money. Simply stated, disinfectants disinfect and disinfectant-cleaners disinfect and clean. If you are uncertain if your product is a disinfectant or disinfectant-cleaner, read the product label carefully. If the label does not mention cleans and disinfects, then it is probably a disinfectant or sanitizer and not a one-step disinfectant-cleaner.

DEFINITIONS OF DECONTAMINATION

Decontamination is a process which removes or destroys microorganisms to render an object safe for use. It includes cleaning, disinfection and sterilization

Cleaning: is a process that removes foreign material (e.g. soil, organic material, micro-organisms) from an object.

Disinfection: is a process that reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily bacterial spores, from inanimate objects or skin, to a level which is not harmful to health.

Sterilization: is a process that destroys all microorganisms including bacterial spores. Sterilization cannot be proved except by culturing, so normally an object is said to have been sterilized if it has gone through a controlled process of sterilization

The level of decontamination should be such that there is no risk for infection when using the equipment. The choice of the method depends of a number of factors, including type of material of object, number and type of organisms involved and risk of infection to person.

METHODS OF CLEANING

Thorough cleaning and drying will remove most organisms from a surface and should always precede disinfection and sterilization procedures. Cleaning is normally accomplished by the use of water and detergents.

Manual Cleaning: All items requiring disinfection or sterilization should be dismantled before cleaning. Cold water is preferred for cleaning as it will remove most of the foreign materials that would be coagulated by heat or disinfectants and would subsequently be difficult to remove.

The most simple, cost effective method is to thoroughly brush the item. The brush should be decontaminated after use and dried. Rinse items finally in clean, warm water and dry. Items are then ready for use or disinfection or sterilization.

Environmental cleaning: Floors, surfaces, sinks and drains should be cleaned with water and detergent. Routine use of disinfectants is unnecessary (release of chlorine gas from disinfection of large spillage can be hazardous to staff).

Disinfection

Disinfection can be carried out by either thermal or chemical processes. Thermal disinfection is preferred whenever possible. It is generally more reliable than chemical processes, leaves no residues, is more easily controlled and is non-toxic.

Organic matter (blood, pus) interferes with the antimicrobial efficiency of either method. The larger the numbers of microbes present the longer it takes to disinfect. Thus scrupulous cleaning before disinfection is of the greatest importance