What is Disinfection: Methods and Types of This Procedure

Now it is difficult to find a person who does not know what viruses and bacteria are capable of. Despite their microscopic size, they cause great trouble to people, causing various diseases. Disinfection is a set of measures aimed at the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms. It should be carried out not only in the hospital ward, nail, and tattoo parlor but also at home, especially while carrying out blood spill cleanup. In this article, you will find out what disinfection is and how the cleaning companies perform it.

The difference between disinfection and sterilization

Many people believe that these two procedures are the same. But it is not so. Sterilization involves the complete extermination of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their spores. Such sanitary measures are carried out in medical institutions and require special equipment.

On the other hand, disinfection is aimed at reducing the number of harmful microorganisms and toxins, but not their complete eradication. The purpose of disinfection is to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. It is used not only in hospitals but also in homes in the process of blood spill cleanup or crime scene clean-up.

Methods of disinfection

There are physical, chemical, mechanical, biological, and combined methods of disinfection.

In order to carry out physical disinfection, blood spill cleanup services usually use steam, and ultraviolet rays (with a wavelength of 256 nanometers to destroy microbes not only in the air, but also on surfaces), and boiling. The basis of the physical method is heat treatment. Many microorganisms die at 120°F – washing at high temperatures is also an effective method of home disinfection of clothes and bed linen. In order to perform blood spill cleanup, a steam generator is used for steaming almost all surfaces and items in the house. This method eliminates the use of any chemical compounds and allows cleaners to safely disinfect mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, and other items of clothing and interior.

chemical disinfection usually involves using such chemical compounds as quaternary ammonium salts, ethyl, and isopropyl alcohols, phenols (cresol, resorcinol), aldehydes (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde), metal compounds (silver, copper), halogen compounds (iodine, chloramine), oxidizing agents. Indoors, chemical disinfection is carried out by spraying surfaces with antiseptic solutions or wiping them with a cloth moistened with them.

The combined method combines several methods of disinfection at once.

Another method of disinfection, which has not yet become widespread, but is being actively developed, is biological. To destroy pathogens, antagonist microbes are used – these microorganisms destroy or slow down the development of dangerous bacteria, which is very important during blood spill cleanup.

Disinfection efficiency

The effectiveness of the treatment depends on a number of factors. Some viruses and bacteria are very unstable and die even when the room is ventilated. To destroy them, it’s necessary to combine different methods.

Disinfection must be systematically carried out in all public places and at home. These measures will help keep your home safe and healthy for years to come.