Which substance is described as a disinfectant in the material?

Which substance is described as a disinfectant in the material?

• A. Formaldehyde gas
• B. Alcohols
• C. Peracetic acid
• D. Aldehydes

Answer: (B)

Disinfectants are used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms on inanimate surfaces. Alcohols, such as ethanol or isopropanol, are described as disinfectants because they act quickly to kill many vegetative bacteria and enveloped viruses by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipid membranes. They’re widely used on nonporous surfaces and equipment for fast, broad microbial reduction with little residue. However, they don’t reliably kill bacterial spores, so they don’t achieve sterilization. The other substances listed are typically associated with higher-level disinfection or sterilization. Formaldehyde gas and other aldehydes are strong sterilants/fixatives used under controlled conditions, while peracetic acid is a potent oxidizing agent used for high-level disinfection or sterilization of instruments. In the material, the described disinfectant is alcohols.

Disinfectants are used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms on inanimate surfaces. Alcohols, such as ethanol or isopropanol, are described as disinfectants because they act quickly to kill many vegetative bacteria and enveloped viruses by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipid membranes. They’re widely used on nonporous surfaces and equipment for fast, broad microbial reduction with little residue. However, they don’t reliably kill bacterial spores, so they don’t achieve sterilization.

The other substances listed are typically associated with higher-level disinfection or sterilization. Formaldehyde gas and other aldehydes are strong sterilants/fixatives used under controlled conditions, while peracetic acid is a potent oxidizing agent used for high-level disinfection or sterilization of instruments. In the material, the described disinfectant is alcohols.