General Usefulness As
Effective against
Antiseptics
TBC
Spores
Other properties
Liquid
Marcuriai
None
Poor
None
None
Static only; inactive by organic
compound
matter; bland.
Phenolic
Good
Poor
Good
Poor
Bad odor; irritating, not inactive by
compound
organic matter or soap, stable.
Ouaternary
Good
Good
None
None
Neutralized by soap; relatively
ammonium
nontoxic; odorless, absorbed by
compounds ("quats")
gauze or fabric.
Chlorine
Good*
Fair
Fair*
Fair*
Inactive by organic matter;
compounds
corrosive.
Iodine and
Good
Good
Good# Poor#
Staining temporary; relatively
iodophors
corrosive.
Alcohols
Good+
Very
Very
None
Volatile: strong concentration
good+
good+
required rapidly cidal; inactive by
organic matter.
Formaldehyde
Fair
None
Good** Fair*
Toxic; irritating fumes.
Glutaraldehyde
Good
None
Good
Good
Low protein coagulability;
aqueous solution useful for lens
instruments and rubber articles.
Limited stability. Corrodes carbon
steel objects after 24 hours
exposure.
Hexaclorophene
Fair
Good
None
None
Slow acting; not neutralized
(pHisoHex) by soap; water
insoluble; alcohol soluble; inactive
by organic matter.
Iodine-alcohol
Fair
Very
Very
None
Stains fabrics
good
good
Formaldehyde
Good**
None
Very
Good**
Toxic; irritating fumes;
alcohol
good**
volatile.
Gas
Ethylene oxide
Special
None
Good
Good
Poisonous; expensive;
penetrating.
Beta-propiolactone
Special
None
Good
Very
Vesicant; carcinogenic;
good
expensive; unstable.
* = 4-5% concentration
+ = 70-90% concentration
** = 5-8% formaaldehyde (12-20% formalin)
# = 450 or more ppm available iodine
Source: Perkins, John J., Principles and Methods of Sterilization in Health Sciences, 2nd Ed, 1969. 560 pp
Table 3-7. Evaluation of germicides (bacterial only).
MD0937
3-38