High-Level of Disinfection
- High-level disinfection kills all micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) except bacterial spores
- When to Use
- Use on Semi-critical items
- Items that come into contact with non-intact skin or mucous membranes but do not penetrate them
Active Ingredients for this high level disinfectant
- 1:50 chlorine bleach solution
- 1 part bleach and 49 parts water
- 1,000 ppm (parts per million)
Immersion Contact Times (Approximate)
- 20 minutes
Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Fast acting
Disadvantages
- Corrodes metal
- With prolonged soaking, may destroy adhesives
Active Ingredient of this high level disinfectant
- 6% hydrogen peroxide
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)
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)
Active Ingredient of this high level disinfectant
- 0.55% ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)
Immersion Contact Times (Approximate)
- 10 minutes
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Environmentally friendly
- Fast Acting
- No mixing needed
Disadvantages
- Stains unprotected skin
Not recommended for personal service settings
Active Ingredient of this high level disinfectant
- 2% gluteraldehyde
Immersion Contact Times
- 45 minutes
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Advantages
- Non-corrosive to metal, rubber or plastics
- Reusable
Disadvantages
- Toxic fumes
- Expensive
Not recommended for personal service settings
Related 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