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Biosafety Manual
IBC-approved version (May 18, 2010)
Antimicrobial information in this appendix, information provided by manufacturers (e.g., labels or
technical specifications), and other information may be used for selecting and using the
appropriate antimicrobial. Selecting a commercially available chemical antimicrobial product
registered with the EPA or cleared by the FDA and using the product within its manufacturerspecified limits also ensure effective decontamination. The following lists of antimicrobials
registered with EPA and FDA are available online:
• Selected EPA-registered Disinfectants including sterilizers, tuberculocides, and
antimicrobial products against certain human public health bacteria and viruses
• FDA-Cleared Sterilants and High-Level Disinfectants with General Claims for Processing
Reusable Medical and Dental Devices
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBPs)
Standard requires that work surfaces that are contaminated with BBP material (as defined in
Section 3.3.4 of this manual) must be cleaned with an “appropriate disinfectant.” Appropriate
disinfectants include:
• Household bleach (i.e., approximately 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) diluted to
concentrations ranging from 1% (1:100) to 10% (1:10) in water.
• EPA-registered products as sterilants (List A)
• EPA-registered products as tuberculocides (List B)
• EPA-registered products effective against HIV/HBV (List D), or
• FDA-cleared sterilants and high-level disinfectants
Any of the above products are considered effective when used according to the manufacturer's
instructions, provided the surfaces have not become contaminated with agents, or volumes or
concentrations of agents for which higher level disinfection is recommended. Also note that the
EPA lists contain the primary registrants' products only. The same formulation is frequently
repackaged and renamed and distributed by other companies. These renamed products will not
appear on the list, but their EPA Registration Number must appear on the label. Products
cleared solely by the FDA will not have an EPA Number.
F.3
Chemical Antimicrobials
This section summarizes basic types and characteristics of antimicrobials that are chemical
agents. Section F.4 below summarizes antimicrobials that are physical agents.
All chemical antimicrobials harm microorganisms in some manner, but different chemical
antimicrobials have different mechanisms of action. Mechanisms of harm include protein
denaturation, membrane disruption, nucleic acid damage, and inhibition of metabolism.
Chemical antimicrobials that are summarized in this section include surfactants, halogencontaining compounds, alcohols, phenol and phenol derivatives, oxidizing agents, and alkylating
agents.
F.3.1 Surfactants (Soaps and Detergents)
A surfactant is a surface active agent that is usually an organic compound that possesses
both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (fat-liking) properties that make the compound
soluble in water and lipids. Surfactants therefore increase the solubility of lipids in water
solutions and increase the ability of water solutions to wet (i.e., move across or penetrate) lipid
surfaces. Soaps and detergents are examples of surfactants.
Printed copies are not official versions of this manual. Before using the printed copy, verify that it is the most current version.
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