Highlights
Antimicrobial Hotline:
703-308-0127
703-308-6467 (FAX)
9am - 4pm EST (M-F)
info_antimicrobial@epa.gov
What this has to do with Jet Fuel: (Maybe we
will find more here epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm )
Looking for what this EPA number means
EPA pesticide USEPA/OPP PC Code:
063515
Types of Antimicrobial Products
Antimicrobial products are divided into two categories
based on the type of microbial pest against which the product works.
Non-public health products are used to control growth of algae,
odor-causing bacteria, bacteria which cause spoilage, deterioration or
fouling of materials and microorganisms infectious only to animals.
This general category includes products used in cooling towers, jet
fuel, paints, and treatments for textile and paper
products. Public health products are intended to control
microorganisms infectious to humans in any inanimate environment. The
more commonly used public health antimicrobial products include the
following:
Sterilizers (Sporicides): Used
to destroy or eliminate all forms of microbial life including fungi,
viruses, and all forms of bacteria and their spores. Spores are
considered to be the most difficult form of microorganism to
destroy. Therefore, EPA considers the term Sporicide to be
synonymous with "Sterilizer." Sterilization is critical to
infection control and is widely used in hospitals on medical and
surgical, instruments and equipment. Types of sterilizers include
steam under pressure (autoclaving), dry heat ovens, low temperature
gas (ethylene oxide), and liquid chemical sterilants. Gaseous and
dry heat sterilizers are used primarily for sterilization of medical
instruments. Liquid sterilants are primarily used for delicate
instruments which cannot withstand high temperature and gases.
Disinfectants: Used on hard inanimate
surfaces and objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate
infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily their spores.
Disinfectant products are divided into two major types: hospital and
general use. Hospital type disinfectants are the most critical to
infection control and are used on medical and dental instruments,
floors, walls, bed linens, toilet seats, and other surfaces. General
disinfectants are the major source of products used in households,
swimming pools, and water purifiers.
Sanitizers: Used to reduce, but not
necessarily eliminate, microorganisms from the inanimate environment
to levels considered safe as determined by public health codes or
regulations. Sanitizers include food contact and non-food contact
products. Sanitizing rinses for surfaces such as dishes and cooking
utensils, as well as equipment and utensils found in dairies,
food-processing plants, and eating and drinking establishments
comprise the food contact Sanitizers. These products are important
because they are used on sites where consumable food products are
placed and stored. Non-food contact surface sanitizers include
carpet sanitizers, air sanitizers, laundry additives, and in-tank
toilet bowl sanitizers.
Antiseptics and Germicides: Used
to prevent infection and decay by inhibiting the growth of
microorganisms. Because these products are used in or on living
humans or animals, they are considered drugs and are thus approved
and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).