Disinfection intermediate level

Phenols are considered to be low-to-intermediate level disinfectants, appropriate for general disinfection of noncritical and semicritical areas. They are not sporicidal and should not be used when sterilisation is required. They are dispensed in aqueous formulations or in mixed water—alcohol solutions. Levels of 400—1300 ppm in the diluted formulation are typical. 

Intermediate-level disinfection, which inactivates M. tuberculosis, vegetative bacteria, most viruses, and most fungi but does not necessarily kill bacterial spores. 

These agents can kill mycobacterium (TB), many, but not all, types of virus s fungi, and vegetative bacteria. These disinfectants can t kill bacterial spores in any practical exposure time. Examples of intermediate-level disinfectants include phenols, alcohols, iodophors, and combinations of isopropanol and QACs. Noncritical instruments and environmental surfaces may require disinfection with intermediate-level disinfectants. The correct application of intermediate-level disinfectants is for such noncritical items as floors and countertops, patient room furniture, instruments that contact only intact skin, and plastic or metal machine housings that do not directly contact patients. 

Intermediate-level disinfection inactivates Mycobacterium tuberculosis, vegetative bacteria, most viruses, and most fungi but does not necessarily kill bacterial spores. Low-level disinfection can kill most bacteria, some viruses, and some fungi but does not kill resistant microorganisms such as tubercle bacilli or bacterial spores. 

Phenol is present in plant and animal organic wastes as a result of decomposition. The level of phenol present in poultry manure, for example, has been shown to increase as degradation proceeds. Phenol is an important industrial chemical and enters the environment in air emissions and wastewater connected with its use as a chemical intermediate, disinfectant and antiseptic (United States National Library of Medicine, 1997). 

Uses Intermediate for cationic surfactants softener/antistat in hair conditioners germicide in foods, water treatment (duckweed killer), petroleum, textiles dispersant in paints antistat/disinfectant in plastics, pulp/paper dye leveling agent antimicrobial, preservative in foods, cosmetics antimicrobial in cane-sugar mills, pharmaceutical topicals organophilic surf, treatment agent in bentonite in food-pkg. adhesives... 

Wipe floors, countertops, furniture, and machinery housing with an intermediate- or low-level disinfectant to remove soil. Then rewipe with fresh disinfectant to complete the killing of microbes. Never rinse enviromnental surfaces unless the label directs or a surface might come into contact with eyes. 

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