There are several characteristics and properties that classify professional-grade disinfectants and regular household disinfectants which can usually be bought in any generic store and that are marketed and sold under many different types of brands. Both disinfectants whether household or professional-grade disinfectants undergo a series of tests before they can legally be called a disinfectant by the government of Canada after issuing a DIN number (Drug Identification Number) This 8-digit number is only given after government-contracted scientists test the products for efficacy against certain pathogenic microorganisms. For manufacturers for their products to be deemed and legally called a disinfectant, the active ingredient must be able to kill or inactivate certain types of pathogenic microorganisms. Call The Exterminators Inc. for commercial grade disinfection services.Â
Disinfectants are classified into three main categories. Each category responds to a certain degree of efficacy killing certain bacteria and the type of environment they are used in. The first category of disinfectants is classified as “…Low-Level Disinfection This procedure kills most vegetative bacteria except M. tuberculosis, some fungi, and inactivates some viruses. The EP Approves chemical germicides used in this procedure in the US as “hospital disinfectants” or “sanitizers..” The second level of disinfectants is classified as intermediate-level disinfectants “…This procedure kills vegetative microorganisms, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, all fungi, and inactivates most viruses. Chemical germicides used in this procedure often correspond to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved “hospital disinfectants” that are also “tuberculocidal.” They are used commonly in laboratories for disinfection of laboratory benches and as part of detergent germicides used for housekeeping purposes. At the highest level and the most critical of all three is the high-level disinfectant also known as a hospital-grade disinfectant because of its use inside of medical facilities and hospital and is described as “…This procedure kills vegetative microorganisms and inactivates viruses, but not necessarily high numbers of bacterial spores. Such disinfectants are capable of sterilization when the contact time is relatively long (e.g., 6 to 10 hours). As high-level disinfectants, they are used for relatively short periods of time (e.g., 10 to 30 minutes). These chemical germicides are potent sporicides and, in the United States, are classified by the FDA as sterilant/disinfectants. They are formulated for use on medical devices, but not on environmental surfaces such as laboratory benches or floors. (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition).
The question remains – is it actually necessary to disinfect your house or does a good old scrubbing of surfaces work? For most everyday purposes cleaning might be the most efficient and cost-effective way to ensure that you or the ones surrounding you do not contract any type of disease. Regular personal hygiene, especially in this day of age, is recommended where washing of the hands for twenty seconds in essential to avoid getting any type of illness.
