Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol has been used for years to disinfect surfaces and equipment, especially in healthcare settings. The CDC recommends a minimum of 70% alcohol concentration for disinfectants and 60% for hand sanitizers. Higher concentrations of alcohol are not necessarily more effective as disinfectants; in fact, experts say that 70% alcohol concentration is better for disinfecting because it has more water, which helps it dissolve slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. Alcohols are not recommended for sterilizing surgical equipment because they cannot penetrate protein-rich materials or kill bacterial spores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum alcohol concentration for disinfection | 60% or 120 proof |
| Minimum alcohol concentration for hand sanitizers | 60% |
| Alcohol concentration effective for killing tissue phase of Cryptococcus neoformans, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis, and Histoplasma capsulatum | 70% |
| Alcohol concentration effective for killing the cysts of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni | 20% |
| Alcohol concentration effective for disinfecting oral and rectal thermometers, hospital pagers, scissors, and stethoscopes | 70% |
| Alcohol concentration effective for disinfecting external surfaces of equipment (stethoscopes, ventilators, manual ventilation bags, CPR manikins, ultrasound instruments, medication preparation areas) | 70% |
| Alcohol concentration effective for disinfecting reusable transducer heads in a controlled environment | 70% |
| Alcohol concentration where disinfecting power drops | >80-85% |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol proof and ABV
Alcohol has been used for disinfection for years, from cleaning countertops to disinfecting small surfaces like hospital stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers. Not all alcohol is created equal, and it is important to know the concentration of the alcohol being used. The strength of alcohol is measured in Alcohol by Volume (ABV) or proof. The ABV of isopropyl is usually printed on the front of the bottle, whereas ethanol may be indicated in % alcohol or proof, and can be found on the front or back of the label.
The CDC recommends a minimum of 70% ABV for disinfectants and 60% for hand sanitizers. A higher concentration of alcohol does not necessarily mean it is more effective. For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol is considered more effective than 99% for disinfecting as it has more water, which helps it dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. The disinfecting power of isopropyl alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%.
Vodka, typically 80 proof or 40% ABV, is not considered high enough to effectively kill microbes. However, it can be used for deodorizing and disinfecting, especially for those sensitive to smell. Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the most common type of alcohol found in beverages and can lead to intoxicating effects if consumed. It is also used as a disinfectant, with 70% ABV being the most effective concentration for killing certain organisms.
In summary, the CDC-recommended ABV for disinfection is 70%, and 60% for hand sanitizers. The type of alcohol used is also important, with ethanol and isopropyl alcohol being the most common for disinfection. While vodka can be used, it is not as effective as other types of alcohol due to its lower ABV.
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Effectiveness of different alcohols
The effectiveness of alcohol as a disinfectant depends on its concentration and contact time. While alcohol can be used for disinfecting, it is not recommended for sterilizing medical equipment as it cannot kill bacterial spores.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as "rubbing alcohol", is sold in pharmacies as an antiseptic and should not be consumed. It is toxic and should only be used on non-food surfaces. It is effective in killing bacteria and has been used to disinfect small surfaces such as thermometers, hospital pagers, and scissors. It is also used to disinfect external surfaces of equipment such as stethoscopes, ventilators, and CPR manikins. The CDC recommends a minimum of 70% isopropyl alcohol for disinfection, although some sources suggest concentrations of 99% isopropyl alcohol can be purchased. However, the disinfecting power of isopropyl alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%.
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl alcohol, also known as "ethanol", is the same alcohol found in beverages and can lead to intoxicating effects if consumed. It is widely used all over the world and is the most popular legal drug. It is commonly sold as "denatured" or "nondenatured". Denatured ethanol is considered more effective as a virucidal disinfectant. For hand sanitizers, the CDC recommends a minimum of 60% ethyl alcohol, although some sources suggest a concentration of 70% for greater effectiveness.
Other Alcohols
Vodka, which is typically 80 proof or 40% alcohol, is not high enough to effectively kill microbes. While spirits such as whisky or gin have a higher alcohol content, scientists do not recommend them for disinfection unless in desperate situations.
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Alcohol and water mixtures
The effectiveness of alcohol as a disinfectant depends on its concentration. For example, a mixture of 70% ethanol and 30% water is effective at killing certain fungi, whereas a mixture of 20% isopropyl alcohol and 80% water is effective against certain cysts. In general, a higher concentration of alcohol is better for disinfection, with 70% being recommended by experts as the optimal concentration for most applications. This concentration provides enough water to help the alcohol dissolve slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.
When using alcohol for disinfection, it is important to note that not all surfaces or equipment are suitable for disinfection with alcohol. While it can be effective on surfaces such as granite, quartz, marble, and glass, it should not be used on wood. Additionally, alcohol is not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical equipment because it cannot kill bacterial spores, which can lead to infections.
Alcohol can also be used for other purposes, such as cleaning stains, treating fevers, and even as a natural pest control solution for houseplants. However, it is important to exercise caution when using alcohol, especially around children, as it can be dangerous if ingested and can cause alcohol poisoning, coma, or even death.
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![McKesson Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 70% [1 Count] USP First Aid Antiseptic, 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61lYiXl9g9L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Alcohol's germicidal characteristics
Alcohols, specifically ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, have germicidal characteristics. They can be used to disinfect surfaces and equipment in healthcare settings. For example, alcohol towelettes are used to disinfect small surfaces such as stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers.
The effectiveness of alcohol as a disinfectant depends on its concentration. The CDC recommends a minimum of 70% alcohol for disinfectants and 60% for hand sanitizers. Higher concentrations of alcohol may be less effective at disinfecting because they evaporate more quickly and do not penetrate cells as well. For example, a concentration of 70% ethyl alcohol was the most effective at killing several microorganisms, while 20% isopropyl alcohol was effective at killing the cysts of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni.
Vodka, which is typically 80 proof or 40% alcohol, is not high enough to effectively kill microbes. However, it can be used for deodorizing and disinfecting, especially for those sensitive to smell. Rubbing alcohol, which is typically sold as 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol, is more effective at disinfecting than higher concentrations because it has more water, which helps it dissolve more slowly and penetrate cells.
While alcohols have germicidal characteristics, they are not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical equipment because they cannot kill bacterial spores, which can lead to infection.
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Alcohol's toxicity
Alcohols are commonly used as disinfectants, particularly in healthcare settings, but they can be toxic and flammable, so must be handled and stored with care.
The toxicity of alcohol-based disinfectants depends on the concentration of alcohol in the solution. Concentrations of 70% isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or IPA) are widely used and recommended for disinfection. IPA solutions of 60-90% alcohol are effective antimicrobials, killing bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
However, the presence of water is a crucial factor in the antimicrobial effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol. A 70% IPA/30% water solution is more effective at destroying pathogenic microorganisms because the water allows the solution to penetrate the cell wall more completely, coagulating all proteins and killing the microorganism. A higher concentration of alcohol can be too powerful, destroying the outside of a cell before the alcohol can penetrate and kill the germ inside.
Solutions of more than 91% IPA do kill bacteria, but they may require longer contact times for disinfection, and they can allow spores to lie dormant without being destroyed. The inability to eradicate bacterial spores and certain hydrophilic viruses, such as polio, means that isopropyl alcohol is not considered a high-level disinfectant.
The toxicity of alcohol-based disinfectants can be reduced by diluting the solution. For example, a 50/50 mixture of water and rubbing alcohol can be used to disinfect hard surfaces. However, alcohol solutions with less than 50% alcohol are significantly less effective for disinfection.
It is important to note that alcohol-based disinfectants are for external use only and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Ingesting these products can pose life-threatening health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol needs to be at least 70% (140 proof) to be used as a disinfectant.
Isopropyl alcohol or ethanol are the best types of alcohol for disinfecting.
Alcohol can be used to disinfect surfaces, thermometers, and external surfaces of medical equipment. It can also be used to make hand sanitizer.
Alcohol is not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical equipment because it cannot kill bacterial spores. It is also important to note that alcohol should never be consumed as a disinfectant.
![McKesson Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 70% [1 Count] USP First Aid Antiseptic, 16 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61-YReH3nKL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
