Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T02:04:06.792Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Stability and Bactericidal Activity of Chlorine Solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William A. Rutala ,
Eugene C. Cole ,
Charlotte A. Thomann  and
David J. Weber
William A. Rutala*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Eugene C. Cole
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Charlotte A. Thomann
Affiliation:
Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
David J. Weber
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
*
547 Burnett-Womack Bldg, CB #7030, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the stability of sodium hypochlorite (diluted household bleach) when stored for 30 days in various types of containers and to determine the efficacy of low concentrations of free available chlorine to inactivate test bacteria.

DESIGN: Laboratory-based study. Solutions of standard household bleach were prepared using tap water or sterile distilled water at dilutions of 1:100, 1:50, and 1:5. Chlorine concentrations were measured, and then the solutions were placed into five polyethylene containers and left at room temperature (20°C) under various conditions (translucent containers with light exposure and with or without air; brown opaque container without light or air exposure). Samples for chlorine and pH determinations were taken at time 0 and on days 7, 14, 21, 30, and 40. Bactericidal activity of chlorine solutions was assessed using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists Use-Dilution Method. Test bacteria included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella choleraesuis.

RESULTS: Chlorine concentrations at 30 days varied from the 40% to 50% range for 1:50 or 1:100 dilutions stored in containers other than closed brown containers to 83% to 85% for the 1:5 dilution stored in closed but non-opaque containers to 97% to 100% for 1:50 or 1:5 solutions stored in closed brown containers. The lowest concentration of sodium hypochlorite solution that reliably inactivated all the test organisms was 100 ppm.

CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that chlorine solutions do not need to be prepared fresh daily, as is recommended currently, and the lowest concentration of chlorine that reliably inactivates S aureus, S choleraesuis, and P aeruginosa is 100 ppm

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 19 , Issue 5 , May 1998 , pp. 323 - 327
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Rutala, WA. Selection and use of disinfectants in health care. In: Mayhall, CG, ed. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1996:911–936.Google Scholar
2. Rutala, WA, Weber, DJ. Inorganic hypochlorite (bleach) uses in healthcare. Clin Microb Reviews 1997;10:597–610.Google Scholar
3. Centers for Disease Control. Recommendations for prevention of HIV transmission in health-care settings. MMWR 1987;36(suppl):3S–18S.Google Scholar
4. Gerhardt, DE, Williams, HN. Factors affecting the stability of sodium hypochlorite solutions used to disinfect dental impressions. Quintessence Int 1991;22:587–591.Google ScholarPubMed
5. Dychdala, GR. Chlorine and chlorine compounds. In: Block, SS, ed. Disinfection, Strilization, and Preservation. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger; 1991;131–151.Google Scholar
6. Bloomfield, SF, Uso, EE. The antibacterial properties of sodium hypochlorite and sodium dichloroisocyanurate as hospital disinfectants. J Hosp Infect 1985;6:20–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Piskin, B, Turkun, M. Stability of various sodium hypochlorite solutions. J Endodontics 1995;5:253–255.Google Scholar
8. Hoffman, PN, Death, JE, Coates, D. The stability of sodium hypochlorite solutions. In: Collins, CH, Allwood, MC, Bloomfield, SF, Fox, A, eds. Disinfectants: Their Use and Evaluation of Effectiveness. London, England: Academic Press; 1991:77–83.Google Scholar
9. Engler, R. Use-dilution methods. Williams, S, ed. Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. 14th ed. Arlington, VA: Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Inc; 1984:67–69.Google Scholar
10. Cole, EC, Rutala, WA, Carson, JL. Evaluation of penicylinders used in disinfectant testing: bacterial attachment and surface texture. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 1987;70:903–906.Google Scholar
11. American Public Health Association. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 16th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association; 1985:303–309.Google Scholar