Bacterial spores survive treatment with commercial sterilants and disinfectants

This study compared the activity of commercial liquid sterilants and disinf ectants on Bacillus subtilis spores deposited on three types of devices mad e of noncorrodible, corrodible, or polymeric material. Products like Renali n, Exspor, Wavicide-01, Cidexplus, and cupric ascorbate were tested under c onditions specified for liquid sterilization. These products, at the shorte r times indicated for disinfection, and popular disinfectants, like Clorox, Cavicide, and Lysol were also studied. Data obtained with a sensitive and quantitative test suggest that commercial liquid sterilants and disinfectan ts are less effective on contaminated surfaces than generally acknowledged.