Disinfectants

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Disinfectants

Disinfectants are among the most hazardous and widely used cleaning products. Because they are categorized as pesticides, the US EPA prohibits the use of ecolabels with disinfectant products. For these reasons, SF Environment and the Green Purchasing Institute conducted an alternatives analysis of disinfectants to compare:

Worker health hazards
Environmental impacts
Effectiveness for various disease organisms
Length of time needed to kill germs
Compatibility with surfaces

Our conclusion: Use hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants when feasible, because:

They show the highest potential for reducing risks to workers and the environment.
Some have worked very well in pilot tests at the San Francisco Unified School District.

SF City staff are encouraged to try the following SUGGESTED products.

We are still trying to find thyme-oil based disinfectants that are available in concentrate form. They are generally only available as ready-to-use products, and therefore have to be shipped (water and all) from Ontario, Canada. Any environmental benefits would be outweighed by the amount of fossil fuels used to transport the extra weight of the water

Click below for products SF Green Businesses are ALLOWED to use.

Listings

Results 1 - 4 of 4 Print Summaries Below | Print Full Details (Where to Buy, etc.)

Alpha HP Bathroom Disinfectant (meets Green Seal-37 cri...

Unlike many disinfectants, does not contain asthma-causing chemicals. No alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs, which break down into toxic byproducts). Readily biodegradable. Packaging prevents users from becoming exposed to concentrated chemicals. (Note: acidic pH). Hydrogen-peroxide based.

Guide for SF City Depts.: Try this SUGGESTED product. It meets City health & environmental standards

Guide for SF Green Businesses: You're ALLOWED to use this green product.

Manufacturer(s): Johnson Diversey

When to use it : Dilute 1:64 into spray bottle & leave on for 10 min. to disinfectant against some bacteria (not MRSA) & viruses. Click for dilution instructions for different soil levels (available in English & Spanish).

Product Type: institutional product

Oxivir Tb Ready-to-use spray (hospital grade disinfecta...

Unlike many disinfectants. Does not contain asthma-causing chemicals. No alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs, which break down into toxic byproducts). Readily biodegradable. Ready-to-use formulation prevents users from becoming exposed to concentrated chemicals. Acidic pH. A good option for special situations where higher level disinfection is required. Hydrogen-peroxide based.

Guide for SF City Depts.: Try this SUGGESTED product. It meets City health & environmental standards

Guide for SF Green Businesses: You're ALLOWED to use this green product.

Manufacturer(s): Johnson Diversey

When to use it : Leave on for: 1 min. to disinfect against bacteria (including MRSA) & viruses (e.g., HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis); 10 min. for Tb; 5 min. for Fungi (e.g., Athletes Foot).

Product Type: institutional product, consumer product

Oxivir® Five 16 Concentrate Disinfectant Cleaner

Unlike many disinfectants, it does not contain asthma-causing chemicals. No alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs, which break down into toxic byproducts). Packaging prevents users from becoming exposed to concentrated chemicals. Readily biodegradable. (Note: acidic pH). Hydrogen-peroxide based.

Guide for SF City Depts.: Try this SUGGESTED product. It meets City health & environmental standards

Guide for SF Green Businesses: You're ALLOWED to use this green product.

Manufacturer(s): Johnson Diversey

When to use it : Dilute 1:16 into spray bottle to disinfect against bacteria (including MRSA), viruses (e.g., HIV, Herpes, Heptatitis) and Athletes Foot (leave on for 5 min.) and against mold/mildew (leave on for 10 min.).

Product Type: institutional product, consumer product