Low-level disinfection kills some viruses, bacteria and fungi.
When to Use
- Use on non-critical items.
- Use on items that contact intact skin and not mucous membranes, or items that do not ordinarily touch the client.
- May be used for routine housekeeping.
1:500 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 low-level disinfectant
- 1:500 chlorine bleach solution
- 1 part bleach and 499 parts water
- 100 ppm (parts per million)
Immersion contact times (approximate)
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Corrodes metal
- May destroy adhesives with prolonged soaking
- Solution is to be made daily
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Active ingredient for this low level disinfectant
Immersion contact times (approximate)
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Oxidizing properties may be destructive to some equipment (brass, zinc, copper, nickel and silver)
- May destroy adhesives with prolonged soaking.
Phenols
Active ingredient for this low-level disinfectant
Immersion contact times (approximate)
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Easy to obtain
- Cleans and disinfects
Disadvantages
- Residual phenols on porous materials may cause tissue irritation even when thoroughly rinsed.
- For environmental surfaces only
Quarternary Ammonium
Active ingredient for this low-level disinfectant
Immersion contact times (approximate)
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Good cleaning agent for environmental surfaces
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used on instruments
- Not recommended as an antiseptic
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
