Question

Give examples of chemical methods of disinfection and the advantages and disadvantages of each example, include alcohols, Halogens, phenol and phenolics, biguanides, bisphenols and heavy metals.

Answer 1

Answer=

advantages of alcohol= Is used as an antiseptic on skin.

Used to disinfect clinical thermometers.

methanol kills fungal spores.hence is usefull in disinfecting inoculation hoods.

disadvantages of alcohol= Skin irritant

Volatile

Inflammable

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example of Halogen -Chlorine compounds& Iodine compounds.

Advantages of Halogens=Sodium Hypocholoride used in serology

are skin disinfectant.

disadvantages of halogens =They are rapidly inactivated in the presence of organic matter.

Iodine is corrosive and staining.

Bleach solution is corrosive & corrode stainless steel surfaces.

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phenol & phenolics = Examples- phenol,cresol,hexachlorophene,chlorhexidine,chloroxylenol

Advantages= Are bactericidal,fungicidal,mycobactericidal.

corrosive phenolics are used for disinfection of ward floors,in discarding jars in laboratories & disinfection of bedpans.

Disadvantages- It is toxic,corrosive & skin irritant.

Chlorhexidine is inactivated by hard water.

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heavy metals=examples- Mercuric chloride,silver nitrate,copper sulphate,organic mercury salts.

Advantages- Silver sulphadiazine is used topically to help to prevent colonization & infection of burn tissues.

Disadvantages- Mercuric chloride is highly toxic,are readily inactivated by organic matter.