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The following factors that influence the effectiveness of disinfectants are self-explanatory:

Quality of the disinfectant Concentration of the disinfectant Nature of the material to be disinfected Number of microorganisms present Kind of microorganisms present Time of exposure to disinfectant Temperature of disinfectant during exposures pH of disinfectant during exposure

heavy metals, like silver and mercury, are good germicides, but they are hazardous to the embalmer.

Some antiseptics and disinfectants react with cellular protein. This group of disinfectants, which includes chlorines, hypochlorites (bleach), and iodine, is effective against bacteria and their spores, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

germicide

a chemical agent that will kill germs (various microorganisms), but not necessarily their spores.

Phenol (carbolic acid)

a corrosive poison. In a very diluted solution (5%) phenol will kill all microbes and most spores. Phenol has been replaced by phenolic derivatives due to its toxic nature.

Incineration

a form of intense dry heat which is very effective in destroying infectious material of various kinds. Incineration provides the complete destruction of an object through burning at a high temperature and is a good method for disposable of contaminated waste products. All contaminated objects that are of no value or that cannot be used again should be burned.

Ultraviolet light

a form of non-ionizing radiation that can effectively control the growth of microorganisms in its path. The sterilizing effect of sunlight comes from the ultraviolet rays present. Sunlight is especially effective in killing organisms contained in the minute dried respiratory droplets that tend to disperse rapidly through the atmosphere. It indirectly affects their growth by inducing unfavorable changes in their environment.

Aldehydes

a group of organic compounds that control microbial growth by reacting with the proteins in microorganisms and altering their chemical structures. Two commonly used aldehydes in the preparation room are Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde solutions.

Benzalkonium chloride

a topical antiseptic used on skin before surgery. It will kill most vegetative cells, except those of M. tuberculosis, which is difficult to disinfectant because of the high lipid content of the cell wall. It is commonly added to laundry detergents and household cleaners like Formula 409®. Another popular quat is cetylpyridinium chloride, commonly called Cepacol®.

Hexachlorophene

about four hundred and fifty times more effective as a germicide than phenol. It is such an effective antibacterial agent that it has been commonly used in soaps, deodorants, and talcum powder. Hexachlorophene, in a 3% solution, combined with detergent is used as a surgical scrub and is the active ingredient found in PhisoHex®. This agent kills most bacteria, most fungi, and some viruses, but is usually ineffective against endospores. It will alter membrane permeability and denature proteins. As a result, it has been removed as an ingredient in all baby products.

Glutaraldehyde

an effective disinfectant and is a cold chemical sterilant - meaning it can be used to sterilize embalming instruments when an autoclave is not available - when activated in a 2 percent solution. It is germicidal in ten minutes and kills endospores in three to twelve hours. Some embalming fluids contain glutaraldehyde as the main disinfecting ingredient.

Larvacides

chemical agents that kill the larval stage of insects such as fleas, flies and mosquitoes.

Iodophores

compounds in which iodine is carried by a surface-active solvent. The germ killing action results from the release of free iodine when the compound is diluted with water. An iodophore enhances the bacterial action of iodine and reduces odor. A common iodophore and antiseptic is Betadine.

One of the most important aspects of the embalming process is

controlling the growth of microorganisms.

Controlling microbial growth is reflected in the first two aspects of the embalming process

disinfection and preservation.

Cresols

have a higher germicidal power than phenol and are less poisonous. A saponated cresol solution, Lysol®, is an alkaline solution of cresol in soap. It makes a good disinfectant for feces and sputum. Lysol is very important in the disinfection of inanimate objects including items such as instruments, furniture, table surfaces, floors, walls, and rubber goods. Please note that the Lysol® product in the can is a dilute form of this chemical and is not as effective.

Insecticides

hemical agents that kill insects such as fleas, flies, and mosquitoes that frequently transmit infectious agent

Low temperature

inhibits growth by slowing down microbial metabolism. Refrigeration at 5°C slows the growth of microorganisms and keeps food fresh for a few days. Freezing at -10°C stops microbial growth, but generally does not kill microorganisms, and keeps food fresh for several months.

Viricides

kill viruses.

Moist heat

kills some microorganisms. Boiling is a highly ineffective method of sterilization because some microbial spores can withstand boiling temperature for many hours. Boiling water (100°C) will generally kill vegetative cells after about ten minutes of exposure. Some viruses, such as the hepatitis viruses, may survive exposure for up to thirty minutes. Endospores of certain Clostridium and Bacillus species may survive several hours of boiling. Free slowing steam has the same effectiveness as boiling

Hypochlorites

made of varying strengths. The strongest solutions are used as bleaches by laundries and other establishments. The weaker solutions (such as Clorox®) are used as household bleaches and for the bacterial treatment of food-handling equipment. OSHA recommends a 1:10 dilution of bleach to water for the topical disinfection of human remains.

Isopropanol

more effective against bacteria, whereas ethanol is more effective against viruses. Alcohols are usually used to disinfect work surfaces and as antiseptics on skin. These alcohols cannot be used to sterilize instruments, because they do not kill bacterial endospores.

quats

quarternary ammonium compounds are chemical disinfectants and antiseptics that act by disrupting biological membranes and possibly by denaturing proteins.

Disinfection

the destruction of pathogenic or infectious agents by chemical or physical means achieved through applying the disinfectant to an inanimate object. This method offers less control of microbial growth - it does not inactivate spores, but does kill most vegetative microorganisms. The number of organisms is reduced to the point that they no longer present a serious health hazard. This is achieved through embalming.

Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) and isopropanol

the most widely used alcohols. Alcohols are normally used at concentrations between 60% and 90%. They are effective against vegetative bacteria and viruses, but have little sporicidal activity.

Antisepsis (bacteriostasis)

the process by with microbial growth is inhibited on living tissue to prevent infection. An antiseptic agent is an agent that prevents or inhibits growth of microbes, but is safe to use on human tissue.

Sterilization

the process of completely removing or destroying all life forms, including viruses and spores, and/or their products both in and on the substance. A sterile object is one free of ALL life forms - including bacterial endospores and viruses. This is the highest level of control. While this is the best method, it is impossible to achieve through embalming.

Embalming

the process of disinfection, preservation and restoration of human remains.

Halogens

widely used as antiseptics and disinfectants. They work by oxidizing the components of the microbial cells.

Bactericides

will kill bacteria, but not their spores.

Formaldehyde

works as a disinfectant, deodorizer, and preservative of tissues. Formalin is a concentrated, liquid form of formaldehyde used as a disinfectant in which formaldehyde gas is dissolved in water. The presence of 1% formaldehyde gas in a room will kill all non-sporulating pathogenic bacteria. Of course, formaldehyde solutions are the main agents in embalming fluid.

Steam

(autoclave) is a highly effective method of sterilization and is commonly used. It uses the principle that any gas under pressure will increase in temperature, therefore exposing microbes to very high temperatures without the danger of burning the instruments that are being sterilized.

: 20 lbs for 20 minutes will kill all spores and other organisms!

Antimicrobial agents that end in the suffix -cide are agents that will killparticular microbes and those that end in the suffix -static will prevent growth.

Fungicides

BOTH fungi and their spores.

Heat is the most effective method of sterilization. It can be applied as dry or moist heat.

Dry heat kills microorganisms by denaturing or coagulating the proteins they contain. Coagulation of protein occurs more readily when the protein is in a well-hydrated state.

Two types of commonly used Halogens are:

Hypochlorites, Iodophores