Importance Of Germicides

The Importance of Germicides

There have been many developments in germicidal cleaners. These cleaners have changed because of discoveries of new strains of germs or bacteria, competition in the marketplace and improved technology. An understanding of microbiology and chemistry is helpful for maintaining a healthful environment in your facility.

Bacteria are living along with man � sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. Wherever there are people, there are bacteria. Since bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, their presence is usually unsuspected.

Germicides are formulated to break down and destroy disease-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and yeast.
Control of micro-organisms (�germs�) is vitally important to cleaning your facility through good housekeeping.

The following definitions will clarify some of the terms that are often confused when speaking of �germ-controlling� products:

Germicide: Destroys all types of germs, particularly ordinary disease germs.
Disinfectant: Destroys germs, particularly for use on inanimate surfaces.
Sanitizer: An agent that reduces the bacterial count to safe levels as judged by public health requirements. Applies to inanimate objects, mainly food processing equipment.
Antiseptic: Destroys or curbs germs on living tissue.
Sterilize: Free from all living micro-organisms, including germs, bactericidal spores, etc.
Deodorant: Has no direct relation to germs or bacteria, is it is related only to destroying or masking an odor.

A germicidal cleaner, through definition, has to possess the properties of both a germicide and a cleaner. It must �kill� as it �cleans.�

The nature of these products is such that they qualify to be called germicides, bactericides and disinfectants because all kill bacteria as well as other micro-organisms and all can be used on inanimate objects.

Germicidal cleaners are also powerful deodorants. These products do not mask odors with a stronger scent, but kill the micro-organisms that emit foul odors. They also clean surfaces to make them look better as well as aiding the disinfection procedure with physical removal of germs and the soils that breed germs.

Phenols were very early germicides. Later investigations proved that if an ordinary phenol were modified by adding other chemical groups, its germicidal potency could be greatly increased. These now products are called synthetic phenols, because they are made without starting with phenol, but are made from more basic chemicals. Amazing products had been invented that are 60 times stronger than ordinary phenols and have no odor. These synthetic phenols are an advance over coal tar and pine oil disinfectants because they are cheaper to use and are odorless.

Quaternary ammonium germicides (�quats�) are called �ammonium� because they can be considered as starting from ordinary ammonia. We use the Latin word for �fourth� which is �quaternary� because the end product consists of four organic groups fastened to one nitrogen atom.

These compounds have been used for years in textile mills as detergents and wetting agents without anyone being aware of their bactericidal properties. Phenomenal germ-killers resulted from further testing. These �quats� are colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-corrosive. Quaternary formulations generally provide better detergency than their phenolic counterparts.

The task of cleaning and disinfecting a facility is not difficult; however, it is important to work efficiently and as often as the traffic requires. Daily attention us usually adequate unless an area is subject to heavy use. Then it is important to clean more often.

Water Hardness:

Make sure your germicidal cleaner has a hard water claim on the label.

Water impurities will affect your germicidal cleaner. Suspended matter in the water must be kept to a minimum in order to avoid deposits on the surface being cleaned.

Choose a germicidal cleaner that will continue to work in hard water. Water hardness due to salts of calcium and magnesium can present major problems by reducing the effectiveness of your germicidal cleaner. The hardness of the water will vary considerably from place to place.

Hardness Classification

Class Grains Per Gallon*

Soft 0 � 3.5

Moderately Hard 3.5 � 7.0

Hard 7.0 � 10.5

Very Hard Over 10.5

* 1 grain per gallon = 17.1 ppm

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