Germs are microscopic organisms that can cause disease. Disinfectants work by killing the germs, which then lowers your risk for getting sick. Germs are found on most surfaces, objects and materials. As a result, people may be exposed to germs when they touch things without washing their hands first. Germs spread easily, which means that they also spread quickly from person to person or surface to person. Very small amounts of germs can make you ill.
Presence of Germs
Germs are tiny organisms that can make people ill or even cause death. Germs are present everywhere in our daily life. They live on worktops, door handles, sink taps, and toothbrushes to name but a few places around the home. Disinfectants are products that kill most germs on non-porous surfaces.
It’s no secret that hospitals are breeding grounds for infection. In fact, one out of every 25 patients admitted to the hospital will contract an infection while there. This can lead to serious health complications and even death in some cases. So, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of infection spreading in hospitals
The Treatment of Infection
Since the advent of antimicrobial agents, their importance for the treatment and prevention of infection has been paramount. The success of antimicrobials is undeniable; This resistance can manifest itself through various methods, including changes in structure or activity of the target site, changes in expression or activity of efflux pump systems or through genetic mutation.
Methods to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage
Combined with the ability of microorganisms to acquire resistance through mutation and horizontal gene transfer, the use of antimicrobials has caused a rise in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant microbes.
This has led to the use of disinfectants as an alternative antibiotic usage, for disinfection in hospitals. Hospital infections are responsible for around 100 000 deaths each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resulting from 1ยท7 million cases annually.
Disinfecting Agents
There are different types of disinfectants available, including chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite), phenolic disinfectants (for example, Lysol), and alcohol-based products (for example, ethanol). There are also electrical disinfection devices that will zap the germs with a pulse of energy.
This has led to disinfectant manufacturers developing guidelines for disinfection in order to guide users towards appropriate disinfection methods.
Damage to the Environment
A possible problem with disinfectants is that they can cause damage to the environment if released into wastewater after use. This is due to the release of chemicals such as surfactants, disinfectants, disinfectant by-products and metals (EPA 2009). This problem is particularly prevalent in Europe where the use of disinfectants has led to an increase in disinfection by-products.
Significant Potential for Reducing Infection
One disinfectant that shows significant potential for reducing infection rates is chlorine dioxide disinfection. It is used in drinking water disinfection to disinfect microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, disinfecting drinking water supplies from microorganisms. Chlorine dioxide disinfection is also used on hard surfaces such as walls to disinfect the environment, for example in hospitals.
Oxidation of Chlorine Ions
Chlorine dioxide disinfection occurs by oxidation of chloride ions, where chlorine dioxide disinfectant breaks down into hypochlorite ions which disinfect surfaces.
Biofilms on Hard Surfaces
This disinfection method can also disinfect biofilms on hard surfaces more effectively than other disinfectants, providing an advantage over other disinfectants since bacteria often reside in this environment.
Importance of Disinfect Environment:
Disinfection of the environment is important for preventing infection spread between patients and across wards. Chlorine dioxide disinfectant may also disinfect the environment more effectively by disinfecting disinfection by-products responsible for cross-contamination
Other Situations
This disinfection sprayer has also been used in other situations such as disinfecting ambulances and aircraft lavatories. There have been disinfection concerns with the disinfection of aircraft lavatories, leading to disinfectant manufacturers developing guidelines for disinfection.
The use of disinfection sprayer can reduce the spread of infection in hospitals without disinfecting disinfectant by-products. There are concerns within healthcare about disinfection by-products, with disinfection producing disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which may result in negative health implications.
A disinfection sprayer is a very versatile tool in the brewery. Especially when it comes to recirculating ice water or performing hot-side sanitation. It allows you to precisely maintain the desired temperature while being able to raise that temperature during chilling.
