Five examples of disinfectants that are widely used and EPA registered to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi include bleach, alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine-based disinfectants, each with different strengths. First, bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is a powerful disinfectant used at 1000 to 5000 ppm dilution that kills bacteria including tuberculosis, viruses including COVID, fungi, and spores, used in hospitals for blood spills and C. difficile rooms, requiring good ventilation due to fumes. Second, isopropyl alcohol and ethanol at 60 to 80 percent concentration, found in hand sanitizers like Purell and surface wipes, kills most bacteria and viruses quickly with 30 second contact time and evaporates without residue. Third, quaternary ammonium compounds, quats, found in Lysol disinfectant sprays and Clorox wipes and CaviWipes used in healthcare, are effective for daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces with low odor. Fourth, hydrogen peroxide, especially accelerated hydrogen peroxide products like Oxivir, which kills TB, MRSA, and norovirus in 1 minute and breaks down into water and oxygen, making it one of cleanest options for patient rooms including negative pressure rooms. Fifth, povidone-iodine, used for skin disinfection before surgery and for wound cleaning, effective against bacteria and fungi. Other examples include pine oil and chlorine dioxide, but these five represent major classes used in homes and hospitals.
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