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Appendix 4
Recommended Instrument Disinfectants
AGENT | EXAMPLES | COMMENTS |
| Alcohols Primary use is as a disinfectant soak between animals when starting with sterilized instruments. | 70% ethyl alcohol 70%-99% isopropyl alcohol | Contact time required is 15 minutes. Contaminated surfaces take longer to disinfect. Remove gross contamination before using. Inexpensive. Flammable. Low level disinfectant. |
| Chlorine* | Sodium hypochlorite (Clorox ® 10% solution) Chlorine dioxide | Corrosive. Presence of organic matter reduces activity. Chlorine dioxide must be fresh (<14 Days old); kills vegetative organisms within 3 min. |
| Peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide | Spor - Klenz® | Corrosive to instrument surfaces. Must be thoroughly rinsed from instruments before use. |
| Chlorhexidine | Nolvasan®, Hibiclens® | Presence of blood does not interfere with activity. Rapidly bactericidal and persistent. Effective against many viruses. |
*Instruments must be rinsed thoroughly with sterile water or saline to remove chemical sterilants before being used.