Alcohols for Use as an Antimicrobial Agent
In healthcare and pharmaceutical settings, alcohol refers to two water-soluable chemical compounds, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, that can be used as antimicrobial agents. Isopropyl alcohol is widely used as a sanitizing agent in pharmaceutical companies. It is used to avoid the risk of cross-contamination by microorganisms. Alcohols have also been used as hard surface (nonskin) disinfectants, including low-level disinfectants in healthcare settings as far back as the late 1800s.1
Alcohols possess many features desirable for a disinfectant or antiseptic. They have excellent bactericidal efficacy as well as bacteriostatic action as a preservative, some viricidal efficacy (especially against enveloped viruses), and fungicidal efficacy.
About Contec
Contec, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of contamination control products for mission-critical cleaning in manufacturing environments worldwide. Contec’s cleanroom wipes and mops are used in various industries across the globe— biomedical, pharmaceutical, medical device, microelectronics, optics, semiconductor, data storage, animal lab, automotive OEM, aerospace and other critical industrial applications. With more than thirty years of experience, we understand the unique cleaning requirements of these very different markets. Our sales and technical support teams are fully trained to assist customers in finding or creating Contec products that best meets their needs.
