Specific Types of Disinfectants

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04078671esnimw.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#CCFF99" FACE="Arial" ><B>AVIANITARIAN Reference Guide </B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index_avianitarian.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AVIANITARIAN Reference Guide "><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id191.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contributors">Contributors</A>   |   <A HREF="id190.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From the Author">From the Author</A>   |   <A HREF="home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aviculture Microbiology">Aviculture Microbiology</A>   |   <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DISCLAIMER">DISCLAIMER</A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Index to workbook">Index to workbook</A>   |   <A HREF="id155.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Colleagues">Colleagues</A>   |   <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Avianitarian Assessment">Avianitarian  Assessment</A>   |   <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sanitation and Sterilization">Sanitation and Sterilization</A>   |   <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sterilization">Sterilization</A>   |   <B>Specific Types of Disinfectants</B>   |   <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Germicides">Germicides</A>   |   <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Environmental Issues">Environmental Issues</A>   |   <A HREF="id171.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle">Puzzle</A>   |   <A HREF="id187.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="new puzzle">new puzzle</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#336699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041c83b3.png"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Specific Types of Disinfectants</I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="564" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="560"><div> <B>Specific Types of Disinfectants</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="560"><div> <B>Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 134 WIDTH="560"><div> The most popular type of salon disinfectants are quaternary ammonium compounds, commonly known as quats. Quats used today are considered to be very safe, efficient and fast acting. Older formulas, which were known as single-phase quats, relied on only one quat and are not sufficiently effective for use against many types of bacteria and viruses (i.e., tuberculosis and HIV). New formulas, called super quat formulas, use several different quats mixed together to increase effectiveness. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="560"><bR> <div> Most of the currently available quat solutions will effectively disinfect tools and instruments in around 15 minutes. It is important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions concerning the use of these solutions because some tools may become damaged if left in the solution for too long. Fine steel, for example may rust or become damaged after long-term exposure to water or quat solutions. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="560"><div> To avoid damaging tools and implements, you should make every effort to keep them separated during disinfection. This should reduce or eliminate the corrosion of metal surfaces. Also, metal implements such as nail clippers and scissors should be oiled periodically to keep them working properly and to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="560"><div> Quats are not only effective as disinfectant soaking solutions but may also be used for cleaning countertops and tables. Again, though, it is important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions as to the proper use of quats in this manner. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="560"><bR> <div> <B>Phenolic Disinfectants (Phenols)</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 95 WIDTH="560"><div> Phenolic disinfectants, commonly known as phenols, are another very popular type of disinfectant used today. Phenols, like quats, have been used for years and can be highly effective and safe if used correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="560"><div> Phenols do have one disadvantage over quats in that certain types of rubber or plastic materials may be weakened, softened, corroded or discolored when disinfected using phenols. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 96 WIDTH="560"><div> It is very important to make sure that phenols do not come in contact with your skin or your birds' skin. Phenols can irritate the skin causing a rash or itching or loss of skin. Concentrated (undiluted) phenols can also burn the eyes and skin severely. Some phenols are also poisonous if swallowed so it is very important that they be clearly labeled and kept out of the reach of children and animals.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="560"><bR> <div> <B>Alcohol Disinfectants</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="560"><div> Many people misunderstand the term <I>alcohol</I>, thinking that it refers only to the rubbing alcohol found in your medicine cabinet or to the type of alcohol that you may drink. In reality, there are thousands of types of alcohols. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="560"><div> The three most common types of alcohol include the two mentioned above, isopropyl (or rubbing) alcohol, ethyl alcohol (the type found in distilled spirits), and additionally methyl alcohol (or methanol).</div> <div>  </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 95 WIDTH="560"><div> Ethyl and isopropyl alcoholmay be used in the nursery or lab to disinfect tools and implements. Alcohol disinfectants are only effective if they are used in the proper concentrations. Ethyl alcohol must be in concentrations of 70% or more and isopropyl alcohol must be 99-100% concentrated. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="560"><div> While for the most part effective, alcohol disinfectants are not nearly as desirable as quats and phenols for several reasons. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="564" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 133 WIDTH="560"><div> First, alcohols are highly combustible (flammable) and are dangerous to keep. Second, alcohol is slow acting and less effective than quats or phenols. Third, alcohol evaporates very quickly when exposed to the air, which means it must be replaced often and the vapors that are formed during evaporation have been found to cause nausea and headaches. Fourth, alcohols have a tendency to corrode and damage tools and dull the edges of sharp instruments. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="560"><div> <B>Bleach Disinfectants</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="560"><div> Sodium hypochlorite, also known as household bleach, can be effective when used as a disinfectant and has often been used as such in the past. However, bleach has been replaced by newer and more effective solutions mainly because they share many of the drawbacks found when using alcohol disinfectants (corrosion of tools, slow acting, fumes, etc.). </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="560"><div> Alcohols and bleach are not specifically designed or tested for use in disinfecting  tools and implements and are therefore not recommended for this type of use. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 172 WIDTH="560"><div> As stated before, quats may be used to clean any surface including floors, sinks, nursery, or restrooms unless stated otherwise in the manufacturer’s instructions. However, these solutions can be expensive and it may be impractical to use them. As an alternative, you may want to use household-type disinfectants such as Lysol<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >Ò</FONT> or Pine-Sol<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >Ò</FONT>. These products will effectively disinfect the surfaces mentioned above. However, you must <I>never</I> use these products to disinfect hand feeding tools or incubators or brooders because they are household level and are not designed for this type of use. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="560"><div> <B>Ultrasonic Cleaners</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 133 WIDTH="560"><div> Ultrasonic cleaners (baths) are only effective when combined with a proper type of disinfectant. Ultrasonic baths use high-frequency sound waves that create bubbles in the liquid that powerfully clean implements and tools. These bubbles are able to penetrate into the very smallest crevices of the devices and effectively clean them. However, these devices merely sanitize tools and implements unless used in conjunction with a proper disinfecting solution. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="560"><div> Ultrasonic cleaners can be an expensive addition to your disinfecting process. They are by no means "required equipment." Many systems safely and effectively disinfect tools and implements without the use of these devices.  </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="560"><bR> <div> <B>Formalin</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="560"><div> Formalin was once recommended as a disinfectant to be used in dry cabinet sanitizers. This is no longer true. Although formalin is an effective disinfectant, it is not safe for use in the Lab. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="560"><div> Formalin tablets release a gas called formaldehyde which is a suspected carcinogen (causes cancer). Formaldehyde can be extremely irritating to the eyes, nose throat and lungs. It can also be poisonous if inhaled. Formaldehyde can cause skin rashes and allergies, dryness and irritation. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> In short, it is no longer safe or practical to use formalin as a disinfectant for incubators. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>