How to Use Isopropyl Alcohol on Bloodborne Pathogens

Unlike the name implies, bloodborne pathogens are not only carried in the blood, but by all bodily fluids. This means that while making sure not to come in contact with others' blood may help you avoid infection, it's also important to avoid contact with chapped or freshly shaved skin of people who may carry bloodborne pathogens, or objects that have come into contact with broken skin or any type of bodily fluids. Using isopropyl alcohol to disinfect surfaces that have come in contact with bloodborne pathogens can also prevent infection.

Things You'll Need

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Paper towels or cotton swabs

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Instructions

How to Use Isopropyl Alcohol on Bloodborne Pathogens

• 1

  Identify the area that needs to be disinfected. For instance, if a sneezing family member or roommate carrying bloodborne pathogens prepared food on the kitchen counter but did not wipe down the counter, there's a chance it is contaminated. Or if you've accidentally cut yourself on a sheet of paper that a colleague with a virus handed you, the cut may require disinfection.

• 2

  Apply isopropyl alcohol to a paper towel or cotton swab. Use paper towels if disinfecting a large surface area. For skin disinfecting, use a cotton swab which is softer on the skin. Saturate the paper towel or cotton swab, but not so much that the alcohol is dripping off.

• 3

  Rub the infected area. Whether cleaning off a counter or a finger with a paper cut, be thorough. The alcohol will temporarily sting injured skin, like a paper cut.

• 4

  Wash your hands. Isopropyl alcohol is an eye and mucous membrane irritant, according to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine. If you use isopropyl alcohol and then wipe your eyes, it will cause irritation. If disinfecting your hands, do not touch your face with your hands until the alcohol has evaporated.