CHEMICALS USED AS DISINFECTANTS - ACTIVE INGREDIENTS AND ENHANCING ADDITIVES

Active ingredients used in microbiocidal products in the European Unio n constitute some 250 chemical entities. Approximately 100 of these ch emicals are commonly used in disinfectant products. The majority of th ese substances may be classified into distinct chemical groupings. A b rief review of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties o f each group is given, together with some indications of additives whi ch may be used to enhance their properties, and factors which may detr act from them. Some indications of usage areas are given.