Ethanol disinfection

Alcohols, particularly ethanol [64-17-5] and 2-propanol [67-63-9] are important disinfectants and antiseptics. In the aUphatic series of straight-chain alcohols, the antimicrobial activity increases with increasing molecular weight up to a maximum, depending on the organism tested. For Staphylococcus aureus the maximum activity occurs using amyl alcohol [71-41-0], for Salmonella typhosa, octyl alcohol [111-87-5], CgH gO (43) ioT Mycobacterium tuberculosis... 

Ethanol and 2-propanol have also found use ia disinfecting clinical thermometers, and as preservatives to prevent microbial deterioration of cosmetics and mediciaals. They are sometimes combiaed with other disiafectants, namely formaldehyde (69), phenoHcs (70), chlorhexidine (71), hypochlorite (72), and phenols (70). 

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. 

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is widely used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. The presence of water is essential for activity, hence 100% ethanol is ineffective. Concentrations between 60 and 95% are bactericidal but a 70% solution is usually employed for the disinfection of skin, clean instruments or surfaces. At higher concentrations, e.g. 90%, ethanol is also active against most viruses, including TUV. Ethanol is also a popular choice in pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetic products as a solvent and preservative. 

As is apparent from the above information, there is no ideal disinfectant, antiseptic or preservative. All chemical agents have their limitations either in terms of their antimicrobial activity, resistance to organic matter, stability, incompatibility, irritancy, toxicity or corrosivity. To overcome the limitations of an individual agent, formulations consisting of combinations of agents are available. For example, ethanol has been combined with chlorhexidine and iodine to produce more active preparations. The combination of chlorhexidine and cetrimide is also considered to improve activity. QACs and phenols have been combined with glutaraldehyde so that the same effect can be achieved with lower, less irritant concentrations of glutaraldehyde. Some... 

Use ofa hygienic hand rub, in which a suitable disinfectant or disinfectant-detergent is rubbed into dry hands for not more than 30 seconds. A suitable test method is to compare a product with a standard (70% ethanol or 60% isopropanol) the product must not be less effective than the standard. 

Surface disinfectants Compounds containing phenolics, chlorhexidine (not effective against bacteria spores), quaternary ammonium salts (additional activity if bis-n-tributyltin oxide present), hypochlorites such as household bleach, alcohols such as 70-95% ethanol and isopropyl (not effective against bacteria spores), potassium peroxymonosulfate, hydrogen peroxide, iodine/iodophores, and triclosan. 

Ethanol itself finds use as chemical in various applications, particularly as solvent (toiletries and cosmetics, paints, lacquer thinners, printing inks, dyes, detergents, disinfectants and pharmaceuticals), besides its uses in the food and beverage industry, and as a disinfectant. 

Skin disinfection." Reduction of germ counts prior to punctures or surgical procedures is desirable if the risk of wound infection is to be minimized. Useful agents include alcohols (1- and 2-propanol ethanol 60-90% iodine-re-leasing agents like polyvinylpyrrolidone [povidone, PVPj-iodine as a depot form of the active principle iodine, instead of iodine tincture), cationic surfactants, Liillmann, Color Atlas of Pharmacology <... 

Prior to use the rotor and the protective cap should be autoclaved daily at 121°C for 15 minutes or sterilized with dry heat at 180° for 2 hours. Alternatively, disinfection can be carried out using filtrated disinfectant however, the rotor must not be allowed to come into contact with alkaline solution. The housing of the RCS + is made of polycarbonate and can be disinfected by spraying or wiping with a solution of 70% ethanol. The batteries must be charged. 

Foot drop -ethanol actnntyagamst [DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS] (Vol 8) - [LEADCOMPOUNDS - LEAD SALTS] (Vol 15)... 

Staphylococcus aureus - [ANTIBIOTICS - BETA-LACTAMS - CEPHALOSPORINS] (Vol 3) - [DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS] (Vol 8) - [ANTIBIOTICS - BETA-LACTAMS - BETA-LACTAMASE INHIBITORS] (Vol 3) - [ANTIBIOTICS - LINCOSAMINIDES] (Vol3) - [ANTIBIOTICS - BETA-LACTAMS - PENICILLINS AND OTHERS] (Vol 3) - [ANTIBIOTICS-AMINOGLYCOSIDES] (Vol2) - [ANTIBIOTICS - GLYCOPEPTIDES(DALBAHEPTIDES)] (Vol 2) -bacitracin resistance [ANTIBIOTICS - PEPTIDES] (Vol 3) -ethanol activity against [DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS] (Vol 8) -inhibited by sorbates [SORBIC ACID] (Vol 22)... 

Place anesthetized animal on a clean paper towel, shave the anterior abdominal wall, and disinfect with 70% ethanol. 

Consider that if 10 ml of a cell suspension is removed from a vessel it is replaced by 10 ml of air. It is therefore essential to reduce airborne contamination to a minimum. In an undisturbed room bacteria and fungal spores rapidly settle to the floor or the bench, and hence regular cleaning of the floor and bench with antiseptic solutions is required. The floor of the work room should be free of cracks and should be cleaned daily with a disinfectant solution. The work bench should be swabbed down before and after each use with a solution of 70% ethanol. This also serves to kill cultured cells which may have been spilt and hence prevents their transfer to other cultures (see 2.2). 

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