Hypochlorite, antiseptic/disinfectant

Solid disinfectants (disinfectant powders) usually consist of a disinfectant substance diluted by an inert powder. For example phenolic substances adsorbed onto kieselguhr form the basis of many disinfectant powders, while another widely used powder of respectable antiquity is hypochlorite powder. Disinfectant or antiseptic powders for use in medicine include substances such as acrifiavine, or antifungal compounds such as zinc undecenoate or salicylic acid mixed with talc. 

Disinfection destroys pathogenic organisms. This procedure can render an object safe for use. Disinfectants include solutions of hypochlorites, tinctures of iodine or iodophores, phenoHc derivatives, quaternary ammonium salts, ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide (see Disinfectants AND antiseptics). Effective use of disinfected materials must be judged by properly trained personnel. 

Hypochlorites - [STERILIZATIONTECHNIQUES] (Vol 22) -as disinfectant [DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS] (Vol 8) -in prepn ofbromates [BROMINE COMPOUNDS] (Vol 4)... 

Both hypochlorous acid and the hypochlorites are relatively unstable and decompose readily with liberation of oxygen and the formation of chlorides. In fact, the acid is known only in solution. These compounds are excellent oxidizing agents they are used as bleaching agents, as antiseptics, as disinfectants, and in the production of ethylene glycol. The commercial production of sodium hypochlorite by electrolysis has been described previously. 

Silicon may be present in various forms in some preparations, e.g. as tri-silicate in antacids, polydimethyl-siloxane or silicone oil (see also section VII, ref. 77). The sample may be evaporated to dryness and the residue fused with sodium bicarbonate or another fusion agent, or taken up in hydrofluoric acid provided strong heating and loss of silicon is avoided. A nitrous oxide/acetylene flame must be used. Chromium may be found in disinfectants and antiseptics. Unless dilution of the sample is possible the use of the injection-cup technique (see section II.A) may be preferable as otherwise large amounts of corrosive salts such as sodium hypochlorite will be aspirated. If iron is also present it may be necessary to use a nitrous oxide/ acetylene flame. Arsenic in arsenamide and lead arsenate preparations can be determined by boiling the sample in 5% nitric acid and aspiration of the sample [111]. Better sensitivity would be obtained using hydride generation (see section II.A). 

Sodium hypochlorite is used in household laundry bleach, disinfectant and cleaning products, toilet sanitizers, deodorizers, for water purification, and as antiseptics. Regular household laundry bleaches are 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in water with an adjusted pH of 10.8-11.4. Ultra formulations are slightly more concentrated and contain 6-8% sodium hypochlorite. Commercial laundry bleaches contain 15% sodium hypochlorite at a pH slightly over 11. 

The last point is important in dealing with patients contamination of the eyes with bleach is a potentially serious problem. This is considered below. The N -chloro-compounds (chloroamines and Fi-clor ) are more stable, more effective and are less irritating than the hypochlorites. Chloramine has been used as a wound disinfectant and as a surgical antiseptic. Martindale (Reynolds, 1996) notes that the maximum allowable concentration in cosmetics, in the UK, is... 

Chlorine is a very widely used disinfectant and antiseptic. Calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] was first used in hospital maternity wards in 1847 by the pioneering Hungarian physician Ignatz Semmelweis. Semmelweis insisted that hospital workers cleanse their hands in a Ca(OCl)2 solution and dramatically reduced the incidence of infection. Today, calcium hypochlorite is more commonly used to disinfect bedding, clothing, restaurant eating utensils, slaughterhouses, bams, and dairies. 

Certain subetances are antiseptic, deodorant, and diainfeciant such are cblorioe, bromine, iodine, the hypochlorites, and sulphur dioxide others lack one of the powers, as the mineral acids and the non-volatile " diunfectaDts, which are antiseptic and disinfectant, but not deodorant Still others exert but one of the powers, as water and air, which may be mechanical deodorants, but neither disinfectants nor antiseptics. 

The disinfecting capability of hypochlorite is strongly inhibited by proteins and soils, as it is highly reactive and very quickly forms chloramine derivatives with nitrogen-containing compoimds. Therefore, it is important to use it only for disinfection of clean surfaces. For this reason, it is not an effective skin antiseptic, although it has the advantage of low skin toxicity. 

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