Bleach Solutions as
Disinfectants
Published Guidelines from:
Centers for Disease Control · Northwestern
University · National Institutes of Health
Broad Spectrum Disinfectant
Chlorine compounds are probably the most
widely used disinfectants in the laboratory. You can
easily prepare an inexpensive, broad-spectrum disinfectant
by diluting common household bleach. In the case of
large or concentrated spills of infectious agents, a higher
level of chlorine is needed to be effective in destroying
the microorganisms. Use a 1:10 dilution (5,000 ppm of
free chlorine) and flood the contaminated area with the
solution. Alternatively, you can mix the disinfectant with
the spilled material. This higher concentration is more
suitable for porous surfaces that may harbor organisms in
tiny cracks or pits. (Citation: Northwestern
University, ORS Laboratory Safety, Section 7.5.1
Sterilization, Disinfection, and Decontamination)
(http://www.nwu.edu/research-safety/labsafe/cbsl7.htm) |