Disinfectant Spray Cleaners

Similar to the disinfectant dilutable cleaners, disinfectant spray cleaners are intended to both clean and disinfect. Although they are very popular with consumers, they are not used without controversy in microbiological circles [50,51]. The usual disinfectant ingredient used in these cleaners is quats (quaternary ammonium surfactants), which were discussed with the dilutable cleaners. As previously mentioned, these disinfectants are inactivated by anionic surfactants, so these formulas are usually formulated with only nonionic surfactants. 

One advantage of this form is that the disinfectant is used at the concentration intended by the formulator. When the disinfectant cleaner is a dilutable, effective disinfection depends on the consumer making the dilution or using the product at the dilution recommended by the formulator. Consumers are 

Another use instruction often on the label is the stipulation that the surface be clean when the product is applied for the purpose of disinfection. Many labels actually carry directions to go over the surface twice with the product—once to clean and then again to disinfect This indicates that effective disinfection of the surface cannot take place through a soil layer. It is doubtful whether a consumer is cleaning a surface twice to achieve careful disinfection. 

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Over 68 aerosol products containing isopropyl alcohol solvent have been reported (145). Aerosol formulations include hair sprays (146), floor detergents (147), shoe poHshes (148), insecticides (149,150), bum ointments (151), window cleaners, waxes and poHshes, paints, automotive products (eg, windshield deicer), insect repellents, flea and tick spray, air refreshers, disinfectants, veterinary wound and pinkeye spray, first-aid spray, foot fungicide, and fabric-wrinMe remover (152) (see Aerosols). 

Over the last 30 years, ethanol s role as a solvent has increased sharply, while its role as a chemical intermediate has declined. In 1990, 59% of the 890 X 10 L demand was used for solvents and the remaining 41% was used for chemical intermediates (283). In 1960, solvents accounted for only 24% of the demand. The 1990 solvent uses were toiletries and cosmetics, 33% coatings, inks, and proprietary blends, 29% detergents and household cleaners, 14% external pharmaceuticals, 7% insecticides and disinfectants, 7% and miscellaneous, 10%. Ethanol demand for solvent appHcations has been fairly stable in recent years, growing at an average aimual rate of 2%. VOC regulations could impact its solvent use, particularly in areas like California, where ethanol in aerosols like hair spray and deodorants have come under scmtiny. 

Most of the 300+ organic vapors that may be found in indoor pollution are derived from paints, paint strippers and other solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, moth repellents, air fresheners, in addition to fuels and automotive products, and dry-cleaners. Many of these compounds are halogenated hydrocarbons, PAH, ketones and aldehydes, which exhibit different degrees of toxicity. 

Dichlorobenzene Fruit spray, household cleaners, dyes, disinfectants... 

Furniture polish Formaldehyde Highly toxic known carcinogen. Also found in allpurpose cleaners, dishwashing liquid, disinfectants, deodorizing sprays. 

Trigger spray products use a different protocol in the United States, where the product is sprayed directly onto the test surface according to anticipated label instructions. Therefore, the tester must stipulate how much product is sprayed and how far the product is held from the surface when sprayed, as this can influence how much of the cleaner reaches the surface. As new product forms develop, like disinfectant wipes, this requires new EPA methods modifications of the germicidal spray test for wipes-type products are now being seen in some of the literature [107,108]. 

Hard surface household cleaners are available in various types. The concentrated products contain about 10% surfactant, often nonionics. The spray-on liquids, already diluted, may only contain 1% surfactant. Powdered hard surface cleaners are more likely to contain anionic surfactants, usually only 1 or 2%. Most household cleaners are made alkaline and usually contain a sequestering agent such as sodium gluconate. A water-soluble solvent is often added. Disinfectants, perfumes, and other components are present. Surfactants are isolated by extracting the dried solids with methanol or methylene chloride (24). 

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