Choosing the Best Sanitizer or Disinfectant for your Application

Sanitizing refers to the reduction of harmful microorganisms on a surface to to a safe level – the general standard requires reduction of the contamination level by 99.999% in 30 seconds.  The standard test organisms generally used in this regard are Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Disinfection is the process of removing pathogenic (disease-causing microorganisms) from inanimate objects.   Owing to differences in the relative capability of different disinfectants, such agents are placed into one of three categories, which are defined by their respective level of germicidal action:

High-Level Disinfectants are capable of destroying all pathogenic microorganisms – they are tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal and bactericidal.

These disinfectants are distinguished from Intermediate Level Disinfectants by their ability to kill bacterial endospores given sufficient exposure time to the treated surface (minimum 20 to 30 minutes).   Examples of endospores include Bacillus, which rarely causes food poisoning and is not considered a human pathogen, and Tetanus (Lockjaw), which is most commonly caused by contamination of a deep cut or puncture wound.

The use of Sodium Hypochlorite bleach (Sanitrol) at concentrations of 1000 ppm has been considered sufficient to achieve High Level Disinfection, however, such concentrations will corrode certain types of metal and should be used with caution.  The effectiveness of bleach as a sanitizer is also compromised by such compounds being deactivated by organic matter (ie. bodily fluids).  A more practical High Level Disinfectant and the best sanitizer is 7 % hydrogen peroxide (Hydrox 07), which may be used at lower concentrations than Sodium Hypochlorite, and features a more potent microbiocidal effect.

Intermediate-Level Disinfectants are tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal, bactericidal, but will not kill bacterial endospores.   These disinfectants are distinguished from Low Level Disinfectants by their ability to kill tuberculosis, viruses such as Hepatitis (A&E), Norwalk, Rotavirus (the leading single cause of severe diarrhoea among infants and young children), and and the bacterial strain, Pseudomonas, which is a common infection in hospital environments.

Intermediate Level Disinfection will thus be required in environments such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.

Phenolic compounds (Pine Tree) are commonly used as Intermediate Level Disinfectants.  While   the toxicity of such agents require the exercise of care, Phenolics make excellent “hospital disinfectants”.  The potency of these disinfectants is not compromised by soaps, detergents, hard water salts, or organic fluids such as blood, vomit or feces.

Low-Level Disinfectants are fungicidal and bactericidal.  If sufficiently concentrated, these agents will kill some viruses, but do not eliminate bacterial endospores,  or tuberculosis.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Formula 4-10) are commonly used as Low-Level Disinfectants.  While the effectiveness of these agents is reduced in the presence of organic fluids, or hardwater salts, “Quats” kill the most common causes of foodborne disease and feature “two-in-one” cleaning capabilities (detergent to remove soils; disinfectant to remove harmful microorganisms) that make then ideal for use in the food service industry.

Control and Elimination of Biofouling

Microfouling is a type of biofouling which describes the accumulation of algae and bacteria in bodies of water and on wetted structures.  Biological species which typically cause problems in terms of industrial and human health applications include fungi, mold yeast, algae, slime-forming bacteria, and Iron/manganese depositing bacteria.

Cooling towers are a common site of biological growth if not properly treated, as minerals and contaminants concentrate following the natural evaporation of air-cooled water, such that both treatment and efficiency are compromised.  Petroleum products are also often afflicted by algae infestations which require some method of “sanitizing the suspension”.

Microfouling can be harmful to humans.  People working in hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and other locations have been afflicted with outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease after breathing cooled air from contaminated air conditioning systems. In swimming pools, algae growth is most prevalent in the summer, when temperatures are relatively high and the concentration of nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate in the water increases.

Algae treatment compounds include copper, silver, quaternary ammonium compounds, polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, bromine and chlorine. Copper and silver kill algae fast, and at low levels, but they can cause staining of the surfaces as well as discoloration of the water if used incorrectly. Quaternary ammonium compounds kill algae and are inexpensive, but they cause foaming and their effectiveness is fairly short lived in swimming pools.   Chlorine and bromine are both capable of killing algae, but the levels required are high and swimming pools cannot be used until chemical levels are returned to normal.

We carry a Polymeric quaternary ammonium algaecide (Algatrol), which is non-foaming, non-staining,  non-toxic, effective in a broad range of applications and concentrated for economical use.

Hand Sanitizer

Just as the skin can be target of disease, so too can it become a vessel for the transport and transmission of disease, from the common cold and the flu to gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection.

Of increasing concern is the bacterial infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, (also known as Staph Infection or “MRSA”), which is resistant to some of the most powerful antibiotics and if misdiagnosed or left untreated can be fatal.  MRSA can pass from person-to-person through the most casual contact, and outbreaks, once found only in hospital environments, have increasingly been reported in places such as locker rooms and nursing homes.

Clean hands cannot be determined on sight and while basic hand cleaners can remove certain of the harmful bacteria which cause illnesses, they are not as comprehensive as is necessary.   Following upon studies which have shown antibacterial hand soap to be little more effective than use of simple soap and water, susceptible to contamination, and its overuse having contributed to resistant pathogens such as MRSA, we have phased antibacterial soaps from our product line, and instead feature hand sanitizer specifically formulated to kill MRSA, along with other 99 % of other bacteria and viruses which cause disease.

Choosing the Best Sanitizer or Disinfectant for your Application

High-Level Disinfection

Hydrox 07:  High-grade 7% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant cleaner blended with surfactant and detergent ingredients. The features of Hydrox 07 satisfy typical product priorities like few other options:

Cleaning Efficiency – stabilized hydrogen peroxide formulated with surfactant and detergent ingredients allow for quick one-step removal of surface soils and pathogenic microorganisms.

Germicidal Activity – at 7% concentration and 5-10 minutes contact time, Hydrox 07 can be used in tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal and bactericidal capacity.

Personal Health – does not contain any detectable VOC’s, which can adversely affect indoor air quality and have been associated with allergies and occupational asthma.  Toxicity is less compared to other disinfectants, and Hydrox 07 is non-corrosive and non-irritating to the skin and eyes at use dilutions.

Environmental Responsibility – Hydrogen Peroxide is fully biodegradable within waste water facility.  Bi-product  upon usage is simple water and oxygen.

Versatility – can be used at 7% concentration for high-level disinfection or diluted to 3% for less intensive household applications.

Active Ingredients:  7% Hydrogen Peroxide

7-13% Diethylene Glycol

1-5% Surfactant Blend

Intermediate Level Disinfection

Pine Tree Hospital Sanitizer:  Pine oil-based phenolic hospital sanitizer and disinfectant.  Used in areas where gross contamination of blood, feces, and other bodily fluids subsist.  Commonly used in foot baths and other areas where organic material cannot be completely removed.   Tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal, bactericidal – Kills Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas – two pathogens against which Quats have limited effect.

Also effective against Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, candida albicans, enterobacteraerogenes, escherichia coli, gram-negative enteric bacteria, household germs, gram-negative household germs such as those causing salmonellosis, herpes simplex types 1 and 2, influenza type A, influenza virus type A/Brazil, influenza virus type A2/Japan, intestinal bacteria, klebsiella pneumoniae, odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, salmonella choleraesuis, salmonella typhi, salmonella typhosa, serratia marcescens, shigella sonnei, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus faecalis, streptococcus pyogenes, trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Kills the causative agents of typhoid, gastroenteritis (some agents), rabies, enteric fever, cholera, several forms of meningitis, whooping cough, gonorrhea and several types of dysentery.

Active Ingredients:               3.75% Ortho-Benzyl-para-Chlorophenol

2.50% Pine Oil

10.00% Isopropyl Alcohol

10.00% Methanol

Registration No. 14297 Pest Control Products Act

Germex Aerosol: Phenolic aerosol disinfectant spray virucidal, fungicidal, staphylocidal, bactericidal, and tuberculocidal.  Destroys odor-causing bacteria on environmental surfaces. Effectively kills Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1; a retro virus that causes “AIDS” [Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome]), Staph, Pseudomonus, Tuberculosis, Fungus and many other virus strains (Influenza A2 virus and Herpes Simplex type 1 and 2). Eliminates odors in the air leaving a clean sanitary fragrance. (EPA Registered)

Low Level Disinfection

Formula 4-10 Disinfectant Sanitizer:  Commercial sanitizer-disinfectant designed for use in health care environments, food service establishments, food plants, farms, and other institutional areas.  Provides one-step cleaning-disinfecting.  Formulated to control pervasive odors caused by the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi.  Effective on non-porous surfaces including floors, walls, metal, stainless steel, porcelain, glazed ceramic tile, and plastics.  Leaves a fresh lemon scent.   Approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for use in Registered Establishments.

When used as directed, Formula 4-10 will kill Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Steptococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae, Proteus mirabilis, Aspegillus niger, and Trichophyton interdigitale (athlete’s foot), Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonella Choleraesuis, Campylobacter jejuni, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Salmonella Typhosa, Salmonella Schottmuelleri, Streptococcus Feacalls, Shigella felxneri, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Proteus Vulgaris, Tricophyton Interdigitale, Patheogenic Fungi, Brevibacterium Ammoniagenes, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella Pneumonia, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Pasteurella multocida, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Lactobacillus casei, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneria Type 2b, Shigella sonnei, Shigella dysenteriaestreptococcus pyogenes, Xanthamonas maltophilia, Staphococcus epidermis,  Vancomycin intermediate.

Virucidal activity against Influenza A2, Herpes Simplex Types 1 and 2, Vaccinia Viruses and Adenovirus Type 2, HIV-1 and HIV-2, Streptococcus pyogenes (flesh eating strain), MRSA, VRE and VISA (Vancomysin Intermediate Staphylococcus Aureus), Pseudorabies, Bovine rhinotracheitis, feline picornavirus, feline leukemia, canine distemper.     Kills pathogenic fungi, Trichophyton mentogrophytes (Athletes Foot Fungus), Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger.

Active Ingredient:  5% n-Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride

5% Dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Drug Identification Number 002247465

Halogen and Iodine-based Disinfection

Industrial Bleach:  Versatile Sodium Hypochlorite  compound features broad application from dish sanitizer to clothes sanitizer.    Superior to acid sanitizers in reduction or removal of fecal streptococci and bacteriophages anti-E.coli.  An easy and economical way of cleaning and removing stains without scratching porcelain finishes.  Ideal for food plant use and commercial laundries.

Activity Dilutions:

- Low-Temperature Dishwashing Machines:  5-10 ml of Industrial Bleach in 10 L of water for 50-100 ppm activity.

- Sanitizer:             20 ml of Industrial Bleach in 10 L of water for 200 ppm activity.

Mold control: 100 ml of Industrial Bleach in 10 L of water for 1000 ppm activity.

- Broad Spectrum:  3000 ppm activity (and 10-30 minutes contact time)

Active Ingredient:  12% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution

Sanitrol: Chlorine Sanitizer and bleaching compound intended for smaller scale application and household use.

Active Ingredient:  6% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution

Sani-Dine:  Iodine-based glass sanitizer/bottle sanitizer combines low-foaming formulation with potent rinsing agents.  Ideal for use in bar glass washers and commercial bottle sanitizers.

Activity Dilutions:

- For sanitizing of bar glasses: 0.7 ml/litre of water (1⁄2 oz / 4 gal) for a 12 p.p.m. solution in final rinse cycle of machine.

-For cleaning and sanitizing of utensils and equipment: 1.4 ml/litre of water (1 oz/4 gal) for a 25 p.p.m.of Sani-Dine solution using warm water.  (sanitize equipment with 12 ppm Sani-Dine solution prior to treatment; rinse with water before and after treatment)

(Avoid contamination of foods.  Never dilute with hot water.)

Active Ingredients:

16% Iodine complex of block co-polymers of ethylene and propylene oxides   (Providing 1.75% w/v available iodine)

11.25% Phosphoric acid

Control and Elimination of Biofouling

Algatrol:  Water sanitizer, microbiocide, bactericide and fungicide, eliminates algae accumulations from cooling towers, petroleum products, swimming pools, ponds, lagoons, cutting oils, air conditioners and water injection systems.   Non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and EPA approved.   Ideal for use as part of an alternative sanitizer program for swimming pools.

Activity Dilutions:

swimming pools:  initial dose of 1 L/50,000 L of water  for 2 ppm activity and maintenance dose of 1 L/200,000 L of water  for 0.5 ppm activity.

- air conditioning systems and cooling towers:  initial dose of 1 L/2000 L of water for 50 ppm activity followed by a regular maintenance dose of  1 L/4000 L of water for 25 ppm activity every 7 days.

- petroleum downhole applications:  1 L/4000 L of water for 25 ppm activity.

Active Ingredient:

10% dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Hand Sanitizer

Refresh Foaming Sanitizer: Foaming instant hand sanitizer kills common germs and bacteria without any water or wiping.    Bactericidal level efficacy is not compromised by ingredients which leave skin feeling soft and smooth.  Delivers thick, rich foam without utilizing fluorinated chemicals, which can be damaging to the environment.

% Reduction after 15 seconds contact time

Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC 19606) 99.999%

Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (ATCC 33592) 99.997%

Enterococcus faecalis    99.998%

Stphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) 99.999%

Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311) 99.999%

Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756)  99.999%

Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) 99.999%

Proteus mirabilis (LMG 2954)  99.999%

Candida albicans    99.998%

Pseudomonas aeruginosa   99.999%

Clostridium difficile (ATCC 9689)    99.97%

800 ml bulk hand sanitizer, 250 ml bottle

Refresh Foam Sanitizer Dispenser:  Perhaps the most attractive amongst hand sanitizer dispensers – hands-free SmartSensor technology that detects a user’s hand and quickly recovers to dispense again. Locking mechanism to deter theft and vandalism. Indicator lights alert when battery or refill change is needed.