Intermediate-level disinfection kills most bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mycobacteria (tuberculodial).

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.

Active ingredient for this intermediate-level of disinfection

  • 70-90% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol
  • 99% alcohol is not recommended

Immersion contact times (approximate)

  • 10 minutes

Advantages

  • Fast Acting
  • Leaves no residue

Disadvantages

  • Deteriorates glue
  • Not to be used for foot baths
  • Can damage rubber and plastics
  • Flammable

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 ingredient for this intermediate-level of disinfection

  • 1:50 bleach solution
  • 1 part bleach:49 parts water
  • 1,000 ppm (parts per million)

Immersion contact times (approximate)

  • 10 minutes

Advantages

  • Inexpensive
  • Fast-acting

Disadvantages

  • Corrodes metal
  • May destroy adhesives with prolonged soaking
  • Solution is to be made daily
  • Inactivated by organic material

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