The Effects of Different Disinfectants on Bacteria Essay

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol “refers to two water-soluble chemical compounds—ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol—that have generally underrated germicidal characteristics” (“Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities”). Ethyl alcohol kills bacteria in two ways: “protein denaturation and dissolving the lipid membrane” (“How Does Ethyl Alcohol Kill Bacteria?“). Next, Betadine, also known as Povidone-iodine is a solution [that is] often used in hand scrubs and hand rubs in hospital settings” (Ngan). It is used in “Treating minor wounds and infections, as well as killing bacteria” (“Povidone/ iodine solution”). Povidone-iodine’s way of killing bacteria is still being researched and “is yet to be fully understood, [but] it appears to have the ability to penetrate the cell wall of bacteria and affect their structure and function. This ensures their rapid destruction and helps protect against wound and skin infection” (“What is an Antiseptic”). Germ-X Hand Sanitizer is a hand gel that is used for waterless “washing” of hands to kill germs on the surface. It is an antiseptic primarily used by those who want to kill germs quickly and cannot wash their hands (Samuels). The formula contains about 63 percent ethyl alcohol according to livestrong.com (Samuels). Neosporin is a topical antibiotic used to

For bacteria you would use bactericidal disinfectant, for viruses, you would use virucidal disinfectant, and for fungus you would use fungicidal disinfectant. Whereas these are all types of disinfectant specific to each pathogen, there are also two other types of disinfectants hospital, and tuberculocidal. Hospital disinfectants are used to clean blood and bodily fluids, and should be used on non-porous surfaces. Tuberculocidal disinfectants are used to kill the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. All types of disinfectant should be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA for short. The EPA makes sure that when properly disposed of a disinfectant will not harm the environment.

The active ingredient in Dettol Antiseptic Liquid is 4.8% chloroxylenol, a chemical that inhibits the growth of a large range of microorganisms including gram negative bacteria. It can be used to cleanse flesh wounds or disinfect surfaces. Chloroxylenol destroys the

This experiment illustrates the importance of handwashing and proves that hand washing is worth it. Since our hands are constantly coming into contact with ourselves and others, touching surfaces, grabbing objects, being sneezed into, etc., keeping our hands clean is one of the most effective, yet simple way we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running warm water. “The human skin is a host to anywhere between 10,000-10,000,000 bacteria per square centimeter and since health care providers come into contact with pathogenic bacteria by being engaged in patient care, hand washing can reduce the risk of spreading diseases (page 3).” The objective of the experiment is to test the effectiveness of hand washing and demonstrate normal flora. This report presents the procedures and materials for the experiment, the experiment's results, and an analysis of those results.

It is also important to keep learning about the new disinfectants that come out; there are constant upgrades and improvements being made with these products. There are so many different types of disinfectants so it’s important for you to choose the one that’s best suited for you. When looking for a disinfectant it’s also important to pick one that has an efficacy claim on the label. Efficacy means that it is able to produce and effect, it is also the effectiveness of the products ability to kill organisms when used correctly. Disinfectants also require upkeep; you have to be sure to change after the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. It is important to always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling disinfectant solutions. You should always keep an MSDS for the disinfectant, and always use tongs when removing items from disinfectant. You never want to let a disinfectant come in contact with your skin, if you ever do you should immediately wash with soap and warm water, rinse, and dry thourghly. Always dilute products as specified of the instructions on the label. The most common disinfectant in spas is Quaternary ammonium compounds, or “Quats”. Quats usually disinfects in ten minutes, some contain antirust ingredients so if you leave tools in the solution for too long it can cause dulling or damage. After they are in the solution for the specified time you should rinse, dry, then store in a clean, covered

Most household cleaning products work by using enzymes. In my house, I found laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, and the soap itself. The

It absorbs and reflects light, including ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can cause products to worsen and lose their pigment. Talc, hydrous magnesium silicate (MgSlO4) is used as an absorbent, anti-caking agent. It improves the feel of the product and helps smooth or soften them. Metallic stearates (C17H35CO) also known as stearate salts are used for their moisturizing properties. They help keep the mixture of two or more liquids from separating into their oil and liquid components. The stearate salts increase the thickness of the liquid and reduces the transparent appearance of finished products. Lecithin (C42H82NO8P) or hydrogenated lecithin help cover the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring flexibility. It also has skin-restoring abilities. Sulfosuccinate (C20H37NaO7S) helps the water solubility of other cosmetic ingredients. It also helps form the unblendable mixtures by reducing the surface tension of the substances, which is known as a cleansing agent. Ethoxylated alcohol (C26H50O10), functions as a surfactant and are used as cleansing agents. They clean the skin by helping water mix with oil and dirt so they can be washed away. It also acts as a skin conditioning agent. Bentonite (Al2O34SiO2H2O) has many purposes. It 's used for smoothing, polishing, or abrading other chemicals in the foundation. Helps hold together all of the ingredients. Acts as an absorbent. Increases the volume of a

The chemicals that Clorox bleach contains are water, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, coco-betaine, fragrance, sodium carbonate, sodium chlorate, sodium hydroxide, sodium [olyacrylate, and sodium xylene sulfonate. Sodium hypochlorite has several short term potential health risks such as causing irritation and burns when in contact with skin, causing eye damage and irritation when in contact with eyes, irritating the nose, throat, and lungs upon inhalation, which can cause shortness of breath and pulmonary edema at higher exposures, and can also cause headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Chronic health effects include bronchitis after repeated exposure to inhalation. Fragrance can cause skin irritation, allergy, and has been linked to organ system toxicity. Sodium carbonate can be corrosive to the gastro intestinal tract if ingested. It can also cause blistering when in contact with skin and can be corrosive to eyes and cause conjuctival edema and corneal destruction. Sodium chlorate can irritate and burn skin and eyes, and can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, as well as damage the kidneys and affect the liver. High levels of sodium chlorate can reduce the body’s ability to transport oxygen and at very high levels, exposure can lead to death. Sodium hydroxide is corrosive to skin and

When determining which bacteria I wanted to use for this experiment I had to decide on E.coli bacteria which is gram negative and staphylococcus a gram positive bacterium. These were chosen because they are safe enough to grow in a college laboratory and were supplied by the technician. Gram negative bacteria has an outer membrane making it more resistant to antiseptics and antibiotics, it also makes it more fatal to the human host it is inhabiting. Whereas gram

Vinegar is also used in diet control because several doses can provide feeling of fullness and satisfaction. It is also an effective screening tool for cervical cancer because vinegar changes the color of the tissue that is infected to a color of white so it can be easily noticed. Vinegar is also a cleaning agent because of its acidic property it can dissolve mineral deposits from glass. Vinegar is a very useful chemical substance but at the same time a very acidic and corrosive compound (Harris, 2011).

In this experiment, we wanted to investigate which surfaces in the school had the most bacteria, and we thought that the surfaces used more would have the most bacteria. For this experiment we used agar plates, cotton swabs and distilled water in order to see how much bacteria was on each surface. Cotton swabs were wet with distilled water and then the swabbed ws wied on a 2 inch space of the surface and twisted to cover the entire swab.once we swabbed the surface, we wiped the swab on the plate in a zigzag motion holding it upside down. The girls bathroom sink handle had 389 bacteria, and the boys bathroom by the football field had 0. We saw that places commonly used such as the bathroom sinks, door handles and railings contracted the most bacteria.

In everyday life, humans endure micro-organisms, bacteria, and fungi, due to Microbial contamination. This phenomenon occurs frequently, and people are unaware of the causes and effect of what microbial contamination can have to truly offer. By definition microbiological contamination occurs when non-intended or accidental introduction bacteria, yeast, mold, fungi, virus, prions, protozoa or their toxins and by-products is carried from one object to another object, person to person, or from an object to a person. (Sue,2007) Cross-contamination occurs during cooking. Specifically, it occurs when juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects touch cooked or ready-to-eat foods.(Eleese Cunningham, 2015) or even in equipment at processing facilities not being cleaned properly, for instance, or any of the other numerous and sundry ways food can be mishandled a make it to someone, which can greatly increase the risk of food poisoning. (Danilo Alfaro, 2017) Cross contamination does not only consist of bacteria but furthermore, it consists of a virus or a toxin of some sort. (Danilo Alfaro, 2017). It ranges from complex multicellular eukaryotes to even the most unicellular prokaryotic organism, and at any crack or even any type of opening at West Carleton, there will be definitely living microorganisms being passed along from one person to another unconsciously.

The vinegar did really well, due to the acidic nature it has. The acidity helped eliminate bacteria, in the agar plate. The toothpaste did the second best because of the component of triflocin, which is antibacterial and antifungal. This factor helped largely, for the toothpaste to make an over result of 27mm and 25mm in kill zone. The nail polish remover came last, and though it contained alcohol, there were far too many ingredients mixed with the substance, making the nail polish remover not as concentrated and thus a smaller kill zone.

The main objective of this experiment is to investigate the effect of different types of antibiotics on bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Some of the main methods used in this experiment

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