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Phenols. Phenols are coal-tar derivatives. They have a characteristic pine-tar odor and some turn milky in
water. Phenols are effective antibacterial agents, and they are also effective against fungi spores and
many viruses. They also retain more activity in the presence of organic material than iodine or
chlorine-containing disinfectants. They can cause damage to rubber and plastic tools and can discolor some surfaces. Common uses in commercial animal production units include: hatchery and equipment sanitation, and foot baths. Examples: Lysol, Pine-Sol, more refined versions include Lets Dance and Lets Touch. Quaternary Ammonium . Quaternary ammonium compounds are generally odorless, colorless, non-irritating, and deodorizing. They also have some detergent action, and they are good disinfectants. However, some quaternary ammonium compounds are inactivated in the presence of some soaps or soap residues, so careful product selection is important. Their antibacterial activity is reduced in the presence of organic matter (dust/skin). Hard water can also reduce its effectiveness. Quaternary ammonium compounds are effective against bacteria and somewhat effective against fungi and viruses. These compounds are widely used in commercial hatcheries. Examples: Germex, Barbicide San-O-Fec. Hypochlorites. Chlorine compounds are good disinfectants on clean surfaces, but are quickly inactivated by dirt. Chlorine is effective against bacteria and many viruses when used in high concentration. These compounds are also much more active in warm water than in cold water. Chlorine solutions can be somewhat irritating to skin and corrosive to metal the odor is very strong and should be used in a well ventilated area. These factors make it a poor choice for the work station but effective for foot-baths and finger bowls They are relatively inexpensive. Examples: Clorox, and Halazone. Alcohol. A 70% alcohol solution is good for disinfecting the work surface, but it it weakens when exposed to organic matter (dust/skin). While it is a tuberculocidal and bactericidal, it does not kill spores and is flammable and corrosive to metal. Iodophores. Iodine compounds are useful in the disinfection of bacteria and some viruses but are not fungicidal or tuberculocidal. They stain surfaces, are inactivated by UV light and organic matter. Water also reduces it activity.
So what is a good disinfectant for the salon? Only one of the above is not reduced or rendered inactive by organic matter, that is the skin and nail dust which clings to our instruments, the Phenols. No matter which you decide to use, to achieve sanitatizing and disinfection in the salon you must first wash your instruments to remove organic matter, in some cases, dry them and immersion in the chosen solution for at least 10 minutes.
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