Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Disinfectant

Disinfectants are used in a variety of settings to remove the germs and other contaminants that may be present on the surfaces of the area to be cleaned. They are used in the daily cleaning of homes, during laboratory procedures and to disinfect food preparation areas among others. It is imperative that the proper disinfectant be chosen according to the type of contaminants present. However, there are still a number of factors affecting the effectiveness of the chosen disinfectant.

Duration

• One of the main factors affecting the effectiveness of a disinfectant is the length of time it is exposed to the area to be disinfected. The duration of the exposure depends, among other things, on the type of organism being targeted.

Age

• The age of the disinfectant solution being used also affects its effectiveness. Many chemicals diminish in potency with the passage of time and their exposure to air and the other chemicals in the solution.

Concentration and Potency

• The chemical makeup and the potency of the solution will affect how effective the disinfectant is at eliminating the contaminants present. The higher the concentration of the solution, the more potent and therefore more effective it tends to be.

Quantity and Location

• The amount of disinfectant used will also determine its effectiveness. However, quantity also refers to the amount of disinfectant that reaches the infected area. This means that the location of the infected area is equally important because the shape, or other related characteristics, will affect the quantity of disinfectant that reaches the infected area.

Resistance

• Part of choosing the proper disinfectant is having a general knowledge of the type of contaminant being targeted. Many organisms have naturally high tolerances for certain disinfectant solutions. Bacterial spores for example have extremely high tolerances for many disinfectants and require a different solution than a less resistant lipid virus.

Organic Material

• Many areas that need to be disinfected have a layer or layers of organic buildup that will decrease the effectiveness of a disinfectant. Blood, soil, tissue and similar materials have properties that absorb and in some cases counteract the disinfectant solution.