Active Ingredient - Chemical component of a cleaner that inactivates, reduces or destroys organisms. Phenols and quaternary ammonium compounds are typical ingredients in disinfectants. PCMX, CHG and quats are common active ingredients in hand cleaners. These ingredients must be listed on product labels and must appear on the MSDS if it makes up 1% or more of the total weight.

Acute Toxicity - Refers to exposure of short duration, i.e. single brief exposure to a chemical or product. This is used to determine a product’s toxicity profile.

Adenovirus - Causes acute respiratory infections.

Aerobes - A microorganism that requires oxygen to grow.

Aerosol - A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air or gas, as a fog, smoke or mist.

Agar - A gelatinous material, extracted from seaweed, that is used to form the solid base for bacteriological culture medium.

AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - A disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Airborne Transmission Infection - Pathogens suspended in the air in dust particles, aerosols or sprays.

Alcohol - Used as a skin antiseptic, and to disinfect clinical surfaces and equipment. Product evaporates rapidly and can dry and irritate skin. It is inactivated by organic materials. It does not stain and has quick kill of bacteria. It is tuberculocidal, fungicidal and virucidal.

Algaecide - Products that destroy algae.

AAMI - Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation - Oversees sterile procedures for operating room equipment.

Anaerobe - A microorganism which will grow in the absence of oxygen.

Anionic Detergent - A surfactant chemical, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which ionizes in solution with the oil-soluble portion negatively charged. Excellent cleaning properties. Generally high sudsing.

Antibacterial - A chemical substance which kills public health bacteria.

Antibiotic - A chemical substance that is produced by microorganisms and has the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.

Antibiotic Resistant - Capable of growth in the presence of one or more antibiotic compounds. The resistance of a microorganism to antibiotics does not mean that it is resistant to antimicrobial products.

Antimicrobial - A chemical substance which inhibits or destroys bacteria, virus, fungi, yeasts or molds.

Antiseptic - A chemical substance that kills or inhibits growth and reproduction of microorganisms in or on humans or animals. Because of its association with living tissue, these chemicals are considered drugs and are regulated by the FDA.

AORN - Association of Operating Room Nurses - Recognized by hospitals as an industry group that increases level of sanitation in operating rooms.

Aseptic - A state of being free of contamination from infectious microorganisms.

ATCC - American Type Culture Collection - Identification number of microorganisms.

Attack Rate - The proportion of the population at risk whoever experience a specific event. This is useful only when the risk is not time-dependent (e.g., surgical site infections, transfusion-related infections).

Autoclave - An instrument that is pressurized by steam, without the inclusion of air, in which articles and/or liquids may be sterilized.

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Bacillus - A type of bacteria which typically grows as an elongated rod-shaped cell.

Bacteria - Single-celled microorganisms which are members of the plant kingdom. Pathogenic bacteria are capable of producing infections and are sometimes referred to as “germs” or “microbes.”

Bacteria Capsule - The slimy layer or envelope surrounding a bacteria cell which may interfere with penetration of a germicide into the cell. Not all bacteria cells produce capsules.

Bactericide - A chemical that kills or destroys bacteria. Essentially the same as a “germicide.”

Bacteriostasis - The inhibition of bacteria growth by chemical or physical action. Bacteriostasis may sometimes be reversed or discontinued so that further bacteria growth resumes when the inhibitory condition is removed.

Bacteriostat - Refers to the action of a product in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, but not necessarily killing them.

Benchmarking - Comparison of one’s own performance measurements to those of other “best in class” organizations.

Binary Fission - The process by which microorganisms divide and reproduce. One cell splits to become two, two split to become four, etc.

Biodegradable - A substance that can be decomposed by bacteria and/or natural environmental factors. 

Bioload - Number and type of microorganisms present.

Bleach - Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) - A low cost oxidizer that is effective in decontamination of blood or other potentially infectious materials. High level of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Corrosive to metal. Inactivated by organic matter and relatively unstable in diluted form.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) - Disease causing microorganisms that are present in blood. OSHA refers only to those pathogens that occur in human blood that can cause disease in humans, including, but not restricted to, HIV and HBV.

Botulism - A form of food poison caused by the toxin produced in foods by Clostridium botulism. Botulism is often fatal.

Broad Spectrum Disinfectant - General disinfectant that is recommended in labeling for use against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

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Carpet Spotting - Treating spills on carpeted surfaces with chemicals selected for the specific spill. In the health care facility, spots require special attention and disinfection.

Carrier - An individual harboring a specific strain of microorganisms who may or may not disseminate this strain throughout the environment. A carrier might not exhibit symptoms of infections but may merely be a transporter of pathogenic strains.

Cationic Detergent - Surfactant detergents with a positive charge. Good emulsification of grease and oil can provide deodorizing and germicidal action. Quaternary ammonium compounds fall into the cationic category.

CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Provides strategies for prevention and control of disease and develops guidelines for proper use of antimicrobial products. The CDC does not test, evaluate or recommend disinfectants, sterilants or antiseptics.

CFU’s - Colony Forming Units are a measure of the number of microbes each is capable of growing into its own colony.

Chain Of Infection - The methods and intermediate vehicles by which microorganisms and disease can be transferred between individuals.

CHG - Chlorhexidine Gluconate - Ingredient commonly used in hand care products. Has a broad spectrum of activity on fungi, viruses and bacteria and not diminished by blood or other organic material. Unique attribute of CHG is persistence, which is desirable when there is a high risk of infection and where a sustained and high level reduction in microbial flora reduces infection (surgery).

Chlorine - Powerful oxidizing agent often used as a germicide.

Chloroxylenol - Chlorinated hydrocarbon which is a common active ingredient in hand cleaners.

Chronic Toxicity - Refers to exposure of long duration, i.e. repeated or prolonged exposures to a chemical or product.

Cidal - A toxic property of some chemicals by which living matter can be destroyed. This term is usually used in combination with a specific prefix by which the cidal activity is defined; staphylocidal, pseudomonicidal, etc.

Clinical Isolates - Isolated from human infection.

Cocci - Spherical shaped bacteria.

Coliform Bacteria - Microorganisms that ferment lactose sugar with the production of gas, do not produce spores, are gram-negatively stained, and may either grow aerobically or anaerobically.

Colony - The mass of bacteria cells on a solid culture medium which may be large enough to be seen without magnification. The “colony count” refers to the number of colonies observed after incubation at controlled time, temperature and medium.

Communicable - Transferable or contagious. A disease or infection which may be transmitted from one person to another by various means.

Conductive Flooring - A type of floor which is constructed to form a pathway of moderate electrical conductivity between equipment, people and the floor. This floor is designed to prevent the buildup of hazardous electrostatic charges in areas where flammable gases are used. The resistance of such flooring must be maintained between 25,000-100,000 ohms.

Contact Time - The published time that a disinfectant or sanitizing chemical must remain wet on the surface being treated. These chemicals are killing germs only when wet.

Contagious - A state whereby a disease or infection may be transmitted or spread from one person to another. Also refers to a microorganism which is capable of causing a communicable disease.

Contamination - A condition of being soiled.

Critical-Use - Refers to items that penetrate skin. Requires sterilization.

Cross-Contamination - The act of transmitting an infection from one infected person to another. Also refers to becoming infected by a microorganism picked up through contact with a surface (or air) which has been contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms.

Culture - A controlled population of growing microorganisms which is maintained for purposes of study. Sampling of the hospital environment (surface or air) results in the obtaining of a “mixed” culture containing several microbial types. Individual colonies must be isolated from such mixed culture for further study or identification.

Cumulative Incidence - Proportion of a group of people at risk who experience a health-related event during a specified interval of time. Cumulative incidence is calculated from incidence density or estimated as an attack rate.

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Daily Cleaning - Custodial cleaning procedures that are typically conducted every day.

Decontaminate - To remove pathogenic and undesirable microorganisms or soil from surfaces by chemical or physical means. Decontamination renders medical instruments, devices or environmental surfaces safe for handling but not necessarily safe for patient reuse.

Defoamer - A chemical substance which reduces or eliminates foam.

Detail Cleaning - Special custodial cleaning procedures that are conducted less frequently; usually once each week or upon dismissal of patient or resident.

Detergent - A chemical which is used for cleaning surfaces and which may possess various properties such as surface wetting, soil emulsification, soil dispersion, or soil-suspending. These cleaning agents by themselves are not antimicrobial.

D.I.N. - The Canadian “Drug Identification Number” - In Canada, the Food and Drug Act is managed by The Therapeutic Drug Directorate. This act is designed to control and regulate the manufacture, use directions and efficacy of a wide range of products including the disinfectant cleaners used for housekeeping in hospitals.

Disease - An impairment of body health; illness or sickness. An “infectious disease” is caused by a pathogenic microorganism. A “contagious disease” is transmitted by contact with an infected person.

Disinfectant - A chemical intended to destroy or inactivate microorganisms on inanimate surfaces. A disinfectant will kill 100% of most vegetative bacteria, but is not capable of destroying bacteria endospores. Substance intended for application on inanimate surfaces to kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms.

Disinfectant Claims - Statements made by disinfectant manufacturers, claiming the control or destruction of specific germs. Statements are controlled by the EPA under FIFRA.

Disinfectant-Detergent - A chemical product that is formulated with cleaning agents and germicides, selected for soil removal and simultaneous disinfection.

Disinfecting - Process by which bacteria, fungi or viruses are destroyed permanently.

DNR - Department of Natural Resources - Regulates the safety of the environment and recommends disposal procedures for concentrated and used cleaning products.

Droplet Transmission Infection - An infection produced by microorganisms carried in liquid droplets, sometimes caused by a sneeze from an infected person.

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Efficacy - Effectiveness of the product. List of microorganisms that are destroyed or reduced when the product is used in accordance with label directions.

Efficacy Data - Test results showing effectiveness of antimicrobial substances against specific microbes.

Efficacy Testing - The AOAC tests methods for establishing the effectiveness of antimicrobial products against microbes.

Emulsification - Detergent action of breaking up fats and oils into small droplets which can be suspended in water.

Endospore - When a bacterium develops an outer shell (a spore) to protect it from environmental threats - extreme heat, dryness, cold, and toxic chemicals, such as disinfectants.

Environmental Cleaning - The basic level of cleaning through removal of soils. This removes many microbes but does not specifically control any one.

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency - Responsible for registering all pesticide products.

EPA Establishment Number - A hyphenated, three-part number indicating the facility at which a registered productwas manufactured. The first number is the company identification number, the second is the abbreviation for the state where the product was manufactured and the third is the production plant identification number.

EPA Registration Number - Shows that the EPA has registered the product and its label.

Epidemic - Outbreak of disease. Occurs quickly and involves a large number of individuals at the same time.

Escherichia coli 0517:H7 - One of the 4 foodborne pathogens contained within the E-coli group commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, especially cows.

Etiology - study of the cause of disease.

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FDA - US Food and Drug Administration Agency.

FFDCA - Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act - The law that regulates, among other things, the use of drugs (human and veterinary) which include antimicrobial products used as antiseptics on animate surfaces.

FIFRA - Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act - Law that sets forth the regulation of the sale, distribution and use of all pesticides, including the antimicrobial products used on inanimate surfaces.

Fire Point - The lowest temperature at which vapors will ignite in the presence of a flame or spark and burn continuously. (See flash point.)

Flash point - Temperature at which a chemical will ignite in the presence of a spark or flame.

Fomite - Nonliving material. Any object or substance, other than food, that harbors or carries infectious organisms.

FQPA - Food Quality Protection Act - A 1996 amendment to the FIFRA and FFDCA.

Fungicide - Any material that can kill fungi. Those fungi with medical importance will be listed on the product label.

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General Disinfectant - Disinfectant that is labeled for usage against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Efficacy demonstrated against both Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

General Purpose Cleaner - A mixture of cleaning detergents that can remove soil.

Germ - A microorganism that usually causes some type of disease.

Germicidal Spray Test - An AOAC test method for evaluation of the efficacy of spray disinfectants.

Germicide - An agent capable of killing germs. Broad umbrella term describing disinfectants, sterilants, and sanitizers.

Glass Cleaner - A mixture of solvents, detergents or alcohols that can remove soils and water spots and dry without residue. Glass cleaners typically do not claim disinfectant action.

Glutaraldehyde - Wide acceptance, high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant. Chemical becomes sporicidal when activated to a pH of 7.5-8.5. Once activated, these solutions have a shelf life of 14 days.

Gram-Negative Bacteria - Bacteria that are differentiated from other bacteria by their response to a dye test. Survives in moist areas. Examples: Escherichia coli (E.coli) is primarily a urinary tract infection pathogen. Pseudomonas forms the slime in a vase of cut flowers.

Gram-Positive Bacteria - Bacteria with a thick outer cell wall and defined by response to a dye test. These bacteria are especially deadly. Survives in dry areas. Examples: Streptococcus is primarily a respiratory and intestinal pathogen. Staphylococcus is primarily a skin and wound pathogen.

Gram Staining - A method of identifying bacteria by staining with dyes and other substances, rinsing clean, then staining again with another dye. The results of this second staining indicate whether a certain bacteria is gram-positive (blue) or gram-negative (red).

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Hard Water - Water containing soluble salts of calcium, magnesium and/or iron.

Hard Water Test - Efficacy test condition where hard water (generally 400 ppm) is used to dilute the antimicrobial product. Intended to evaluate efficacy under real life conditions.

HAV - The virus that causes Hepatitis A, a highly contagious infection of the liver. HAV is found in feces and is usually contracted through poor personal hygiene or consumption of contaminated water, ice, fruits, vegetables or shellfish. Diapered children in day care centers can be at special risk. Hepatitis A can be prevented by an effective vaccine.

HBV - The virus that causes Hepatitis B which affects the liver and can lead to cancer and death. HBV is 100% more contagious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Once contracted, there is no cure. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccine.

HCV - The virus that causes Hepatitis C. This form of hepatitis is most frequently transmitted by large or repeated contact with blood or blood products, and can lead to liver cancer and death. At this time, there is no vaccine against Hepatitis C.

Herpes Simplex - The virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and cold sores.

High-level Disinfection - Process by which all forms of microbial life except high levels of spores are destroyed.

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Hospital Use Disinfectant - Disinfectant that is labeled for use in hospitals, clinics, dental offices or any other health care-related facility. Efficacy demonstrated against Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Host - Any organism (man, animal or plant) which acts as a growth site for parasitic microorganisms.

Hydrogen Peroxide - Used for the disinfection of non-critical items, contact lenses and tubing. It is bactericidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal, fungicidal for a range of pathogens listed on the product label, and is inactivated by blood.  Should not be used for cleaning wounds because it retards healing.

Hydrophilic - Attraction to water.

Hydrophobic - Repulsion of water.

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Immune - Being protected against infectious organisms or allergic conditions by a system involving antibodies.

Immunology - The science of studying how resistance to disease or infection is developed or increased.  

Inactivation - Process by which a virus is altered so that it is no longer pathogenic. Because viruses are not known to be “alive,” disinfectants may “inactivate” them rather than “kill” them.

Incidence Density - The number of new cases that occur per unit of population-time at risk (e.g., infections per 1,000 hospital-days).

Incubation Period - Time between exposure to a pathogenic organism and onset of disease.

Inert Ingredients - Components (solvent, carrier or surfactant) of an antimicrobial product that are not active in destroying target organisms.

Infection - Invasion of the body by a microorganism that can reproduce, multiply and cause disease.

Influenza - Diseases caused by lipophilic virus.

Inoculate - The introduction of microorganisms into the body or into a culture medium by injection, inhalation, swallowing or rubbing on the skin to build up resistance to the microorganism.

Institutional Use - Product labeled for use in or around any property or facility that provides a service to the public including, but not limited to, hospitals, nursing and/or resident homes, and schools.

Intermediate-level Disinfection - Process by which vegetative bacteria are destroyed.

In-use Testing - The evaluation of the performance of a product, procedure or item of equipment under condition of actual use as compared to evaluation under highly controlled artificial conditions (laboratory testing).

In-vitro - Test conditions which artificially simulate actual in-use conditions.

In-vivo - Evaluation under actual conditions of use; tests with drugs on or within actual test animals.

Iodophors - Used for handwashing and as a skin antiseptic. Kills a broad spectrum of organisms with quick disinfectant and detergent action. Iodophors are inactivated by organic materials, are not sporicidal and are not suitable for hard surface disinfecting.

Isolate - To restrict the movements of a patient with a communicable disease or infection so that cross-infection to other patients is prevented. Also, to protect the patient so those infectious microorganisms will not be brought into the area by other patients or staff members.

Isolation - Prevent the spread of a communicable disease.

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Klebsiella pneumoniae - Gram-negative bacteria found in the intestinal canal of man and animals. Causes certain pneumonias.

LD50 - Dose that will kill 50 percent of the animals in a test series.

Lethal - Capable of causing death.

Letter of No Objection - Authorization by the Canadian Bureau of Chemical Safety.

Limited Disinfectant - Registered disinfectant with efficacy demonstrated against either Salmonella choleraesuis or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Lipid Virus - Viruses consist of a core of nucleic acid surrounded by a coat of protein. Lipid viruses, a chemically diverse group of substances that includes fats and steroids, are surrounded by lipoprotein. Easily inactivated by the presence of a disinfectant. Relatively insoluble in water, but soluble in solvents such as ether and benzene.

Log Reduction - The logorithmic count of a germ reduction by sanitizers. Simply calculated as the “number of 9’s,” a log reduction of 5 equals a 99.999% reduction in germs. This measure is not typically used for disinfectants, since these chemicals achieve a 100% kill rate.

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Medical environment disinfectant - Hospital disinfectant.

Microbe - Microorganisms.

Microbiology - The scientific study of microorganisms.

Micron - A metric unit of linear measure. There are 25,400 microns in one inch. Bacteria usually measure about 1/2 micron wide and 5-10 microns long.

Mode of Transmission - Means by which microbes travel from one site to another. Modes include direct and indirect contact, droplet, vehicle, airborne and vector transmission.

MRSA - Staphylococcus aureus pathogen resistant to antibiotic Methicillin.

MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet - A form required by law which describes hazardous ingredients and risks in handling chemical products.

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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - NIOSH - Federal institute within the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.  It provides research data and guidelines for occupational safety but does not have regulatory responsibilities.

NDC Number - FDA numbers identifying select drugs, antimicrobial soaps and sanitizers.

NFPA - National Fire Protection Association - A non-profit organization charged with reducing fire risk. NFPA has established hazard test protocol for chemicals, with results published in MSDS documents.

Non-Critical Use - Refers to environmental surfaces that do not touch broken skin.

Nonionic Detergent - A type of chemical which possesses surfactant properties, includes surface wetting, soil dispersion, etc. Does not ionize with positive or negative charges. Is compatible in mixtures with either cationic or anionic surfactants. Is not compatible with phenolic germicides. Does not react with positive or negative charge. Is compatible in mixtures with either cationic or anionic surfactants. Nonlipid Virus - Generally viewed as more resistant to inactivation by disinfectants than lipid viruses.

Non-pathogenic - Microorganisms which do not cause disease.

Nosocomial Infection - Hospital acquired infection.

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Opportunistic - Organisms that cause infection only under favorable conditions. Example - Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infection.

OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration -Establishes and enforces laws relating to worker safety.

Oxidation  - A chemical reaction where oxygen combines with other substances.

Pathogenic - Disease producing.

PCMX (Parachlorometaxylenol) - Antimicrobial ingredient used in hand soaps which includes broad spectrum and residual activity against gram-negative and gram-positive microbes on the skin.

P.C.P. Number - Canadian pesticide registration number comparable to EPA number in USA.

PCPA - Pest Control Products Act - Canadian regulatory act that insures the quality of the environment, particularly as related to germicides, insecticides and rodencides. This act controls manufacture, use direction and efficacy. PCPA assigns PCP numbers to disinfectants and sanitizers used in commercial and consumer environments other than health care and foodservice.

Pest - The EPA classifies bugs, weeds, microbes and fungi as pests, and registers any chemical that kills or controls them.

Pesticide - An agent which prevents, repels, destroys or mitigates pests. Includes insecticides, disinfectants, sanitizers, herbicides and rodenticides.

Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) - Canadian agency which assigns PCPA registration numbers to disinfectant agents.

Phenol Coefficient - Test now infrequently used to determine efficacy of antimicrobial products using phenol as a standard of comparison. The EPA no longer recognizes a product’s phenol coefficient as confirmation of its disinfecting capabilities since some products with high phenol coefficients were ineffective when used in the presence of certain organic matter and products with low phenol coefficients can be effective under actual use conditions.

Phenolics - Active ingredient used in disinfectants to provide bacteria kill. Provides broad spectrum of organism kill and is tuberculocidal. Cannot be used on semicritical items or bassinets and incubators. Phenols can leave a buildup of film on surfaces and can cause skin irritation.

Pine Oil - Disinfectant and emulsifying agent.

Portal of Entry - A location or method by which a pathogen enters a new host. Typical portals include mouth, nose, eyes and wounds.

Portal of Exit - A location or method by which a pathogen leaves its current host.

ppb - Parts per billion - A measure of concentration of active ingredients.

ppm - Parts per million - A measure of concentration of active ingredients.

PRSP - Streptococcus pneumoniae pathogen that is resistant to antibiotic Penicillin.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Opportunistic, gram-negative hospital pathogen that is often seen in urinary tract infections and in wounds and burns. One of three pathogens that must be killed by a hospital grade classified disinfectant.

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Quat - Abbreviation for chemical that contains a quaternary ammonium compound.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) - Active ingredient used to provide kill. Advantages - less irritating to the skin, good cleaning properties, does not form a buildup, remains active in hardwater, kills broad spectrum of organisms, fungicidal and virucidal. Disadvantages - not tuberculocidal when used alone, cannot be used to clean up blood spills. If a quat-based product claims tuberculocidal kill, another ingredient, either an alcohol or a solvent, is used in the formulation.

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Recommended Use Dilution - The published rate at which antimicrobial products must be mixed with water and tested to be effective against specific germs.

Reservoir - A site, in or outside of the body where microbes can grow and multiply.

Resident Flora - Relatively stable microbes living on deeper layers of skin. Resident flora cling to the skin and are typically difficult to remove. Most are not pathogenic.

Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) - Law under which the EPA regulates the transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

Rinse Aid - A chemical agent which lowers surface tension of water and facilitates its rinsing ability.

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Salmonella choleraesuis - Gram-negative bacteria. Causes gastroenteritis and enteric fever in man. Pathogenic for man and other animals. One of three pathogens that must be killed by a hospital grade classified disinfectant.

Sanitize - The level of clean required to reduce the number of bacteria on a surface. 

Sanitizer - Antimicrobial products that reduce the number of microorganisms from inanimate environments to levels considered safe as determined by public health codes or regulations. Food Service Sanitizers must reduce germs by 99.999% in 30 seconds. 

Semi-Critical Use - Refers to items that touch mucous membranes. Requires high-level disinfection like glutaraldehyde.

Septicemia - Condition in the blood in which bacteria have multiplied. Also known as blood poisoning.

Serum - Efficacy test condition where serum (organic soil) is added to the diluted antimicrobial product. Intended to evaluate efficacy under real life conditions.

Shelf-life - Length of time an undiluted product can remain active and effective. Light, temperature, organic matter and metals can affect chemical stability.

Signal Words - Words on product labels and literature that indicate the level of toxicity of the pesticide product - Danger, Poison, Warning or Caution.

Slimicide - Chemical agents which destroy biological slimes. These slimes are a combination of algae, bacteria or fungi.

Soap - A natural cleaning agent produced by the reaction of a fat and an alkalai.

Soil load - Amount of organic soil (serum).

Spaulding Classification - Guidelines for hospital grade cleaning and disinfecting.

Spore - Structure formed by certain microorganisms which enhance their resistance towards heat and chemical disinfectants.

Sporicide - Chemical substance that can destroy or inactivate viruses and all bacteria, fungi and their spores. A sterilant.

Stability - The ability of an antimicrobial product to remain unchanged during storage.

Standard Precautions - Infection control techniques required to be practiced by health care workers exposed to blood or body fluids.

Staphylococcus aureus - Highly resistant gram-positive bacteria. Common human pathogen. It is often responsible for food poisoning, staph infections, skin abscesses and boils. One of three pathogens that must be killed by a hospital grade classified disinfectant.

Sterile - Free from living organisms.

Sterilization - Any process or treatment that destroys or removes all microbial life including bacteria spores. Methods commonly used are dry or wet heat and/or gaseous chemical sterilants.

Sterilizer - Chemicals sometimes called “sporicide” which can destroy or eliminate viruses and all bacteria, fungi and their spores. Highest level of disinfection. 

Streptococcus faecalis - Gram-positive bacteria found in intestinal matter (feces) of man and other warm blooded animals. Sometimes found in urinary infections, the blood stream and heart lesions.

Streptococcus pyogenes - Gram-positive bacteria. Causative agent of strep throat, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and a variety of other infections.

Surface Tension - The attractive forces that liquid molecules below the surface exert on molecules at the surface.

Surfactant - Agent that reduces the surface tension of water or the tension at the interface between water and another liquid. Wetting agent found in many antimicrobial products.

Susceptible Host - Any organism (man, animal or plant) with weakened body defenses that allow a pathogen to enter and produce a reaction.

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Teratogen - Substance that produces birth defects.

Toxicity - Ability of a substance to cause damage to living tissue, impairment of the central nervous system, severe illness or death when ingested, inhaled or absorbed by the skin.

Toxicology Testing - EPA methods for the evaluation of potential hazards by cleaners and antimicrobial products.

Toxin - Poisonous substance.

Transient Flora - Microbes which live on the outer layer of skin and typically can survive no more than 24 hours. These flora are typically picked up through direct or indirect contact and are easily removed by handwashing.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes - Fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

Triclosan - Active ingredient used in hand care products. Good microbial activity against gram-positive bacteria and most gram-negative bacteria. Has excellent persistence on the skin and its activity is only slightly affected by organic matter.

Tuberculocidal Test - An AOAC method to estimate the effectiveness of disinfecting agents on Tb microorganisms.

Tuberculocide - Disinfectant that is intended to destroy or inactivate Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculocidal claims are an indicator of product strength, because tuberculosis bacteria are more difficult to kill than most other microorganisms.

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Use Dilution Test - An AOAC test used to determine antimicrobial activity of a hard surface disinfectant at its end-use concentration.

Use-life - Length of time a diluted product can remain active and effective. Stability of the chemical as well as the storage conditions determine the use-life of antimicrobial products.

Vaccinia Virus - Lipophilic virus, representative of the pox viruses, i.e. smallpox.

Vapor - A diffused substance suspended in air.

Vector Transmission Infection - Transport of pathogens through insect or rodent bites.

Vehicle Transmission Infection - Transport of pathogens through food, beverages or IV blood.

Virucide - An agent that is able to destroy or inactivate a virus.

Virulence - Power of a microorganism to produce disease.

Viscosity - The “thickness” of a liquid or its resistance to flow.

VRE - Enterococcus faecalis pathogen resistant to antibiotic Vancomycin.

VRSA - Staphylococcus aureus pathogen resistant to antibiotic Vancomycin.

WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System - A Canadian federal act passed in 1986. WHMIS is designed to provide Canadian workers with safe working conditions.

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