Fact Sheet: Disinfectant Use in Green Cleaning Programs

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  University of Connecticut Health Center
• Description:
  Disinfectants and sanitizers are used in most cleaning programs. Disinfectants are usually the most hazardous chemicals that custodians use. They are not cleaners and are not covered by the Connecticut (CT) law that requires CT facilities to use green cleaners. So even though you are using them, they are not "green certified". Disinfectants and sanitizers should be used only according to your cleaning plan, in high risk areas, or where required by law. This is how the U S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain the difference among cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants: "Cleaners or detergents are products that are used to remove soil, dirt, dust, organic matter, and germs (like bacteria, viruses, and fungi). Cleaners or detergents work by washing the surface to lift dirt and germs off surfaces so they can be rinsed away with water. The same thing happens when you wash your hands with soap and water or when you wash dishes." "Sanitizers are used to reduce germs from surfaces but (do) not totally get rid of them. Sanitizers reduce the germs from surfaces to levels that (are) considered safe." "Disinfectants are chemical products that destroy or inactivate germs and prevent them from growing. Disinfectants have no effect on dirt, soil, or dust." [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Disinfectants Occupational Health Safety Staff Development
• Keywords:
  Cleaning Compounds Custodians Information Dissemination Sanitation Training
• Publisher:
  University of Connecticut Health Center
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055079
• Citation:
  Farmington, CT: University of Connecticut Health Center, 2013 Jun; :1-2
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Performing Organization:
  University of Connecticut Schools of Medicine, Farmington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Fact sheet: disinfectant use in green cleaning programs
• End Date:
  20140831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d3562459f6d0a47efde8e841986944ee030b1af51da7c1a8e58e70bfd4f3ff1f97194fcf5226c38f2f1480153f7af69efe7b62426a9c5491c65198a2f7748bab
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217456/cdc_217456_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 303.81 KB ]