Antimicrobials & Biocides

Controlling microbial activity at a restoration site may also require the use of chemical agents.  Before deciding to use an antimicrobial or biocide, it is critical to first understand the terminology, technology and chemistry behind the individual product.  The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has defined three levels of biocidal activity:

° Sanitizer:   A cleaning or disinfecting treatment designed to 
                      reduce the number of pathogenic    
                      microorganisms to a safe level.  This is the lowest 
                      level of biocidal activity.

° Disinfectant:   A solution designed to destroy or inhibit the
                           growth of microorganisms, but not 
                           necessarily their spores.

° Sterilizer:   A product designed to destroy all microorganisms 
                       (fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.) and their 
                        spores.


   
  (RSA [RS101] )