High-level disinfection kills all micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) except bacterial spores.
When to Use
- Use on semi-critical items.
- Use on items that come into contact with non-intact skin or mucous membranes but do not penetrate them.
1:10 Chlorine Bleach Solution
Remember the following:
- the solution must be made fresh daily to preserve strength
- the bottle must be labelled
- clean before applying the disinfectant
- follow the contact time
- household bleach is 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution (50,000ppm available chlorine)
Active ingredients for this high-level disinfectant
- 1:10 chlorine bleach solution
- 1 part bleach and 9 parts water
- 5,000 ppm (parts per million)
Immersion contact times (approximate)
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Extremely corrosive to metal
- May destroy adhesives with prolonged soaking
- Solution is to be made daily
- Inactivated by organic material
6% Hydrogen Peroxide
Active ingredient of this high-level disinfectant
Immersion contact times (approximate)
- 45 minutes
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Not corrosive
- Environmentally friendly
- No residue
Disadvantages
- Oxidizing properties may be destructive to some equipment (brass, zinc, copper and nickel/ silver).
7% Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide
Active ingredient of this high-level disinfectant
- 7% stabilized hydrogen peroxide
Immersion contact times (approximate)
- 30 minutes
- Follow manufacturer’s Instructions
Advantages
- Environmentally friendly
- No residual irritant to skin or to respiratory tract
Disadvantages
- Oxidizing properties may be destructive to some equipment (brass, zinc, copper and nickel/ silver).
2% Gluteraldehyde (Not Recommended for Personal Service Settings)
2% Gluteraldehyde is not recommended for personal service settings.
Active ingredient of this high-level disinfectant
Immersion contact times
- 45 minutes
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Non-corrosive to metal, rubber or plastics
- Reusable
Disadvantages
More information
Print versions available upon request in the following languages
For a copy of this document in the following languages, please email us at BodySafe@toronto.ca
- 中文 / Chinese
- 한국어 / Korean
- Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese