Effects of contact time and concentration on bactericidal efficacy of 3 disinfectants on hard nonporous surfaces.

This study investigated the influence of contact time and concentration on bactericidal efficacy of 3 types of disinfectants (accelerated hydrogen peroxide [AHP], quaternary ammonium compounds [Quats], and sodium hypochlorite) on stainless steel surfaces using Environmental Protection Agency procedure MB-25-02. We found that bactericidal efficacy was not reduced at contact times or concentrations immediate lower than label use values, but all 3 disinfectants were significantly less bactericidal at significantly lower than label use contact times and concentrations. Overall, the bactericidal efficacy of the sodium hypochlorite disinfectant was most tolerant to the decreases of contact times and concentrations, followed closely by AHP disinfectant, and Quat disinfectant was most affected by contact time and concentration.