Characteristics

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂0₂)

Hydrochlorous acid (HOCL)

Bleach (NaOCI)

Isopropyl alcohol

Form

Fluid

Aerosol spray

Fluid

Fluid

Suggested effective concentration

3% Hydrogen peroxide for disinfectant, 1% preprocedural mouth rinse, 6% to 25% as chemical sterilant

80–200 ppm

500–1000 ppm

Concentrations of 60%–80% is a potent virucidal agent

pH (disinfection efficacy is determined by pH)

4- 5.5 (weak acid)

8 to 9 (alkaline)

Neutral

Stability

Stable and effective

Effectiveness (killing power)

Bactericidal, virucidal, sporicidal and fungicidal properties

80–100 x more effective than NaOCl + Faster

Bacteria

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Viruses

Strong

99.9% effective

Strong

Strong

Tuberculocidal

Strong

Contact time

0.5% Accelerated hydrogen peroxide demonstrated bactericidal and virucidal activity in 1 minute and mycobactericidal and fungicidal activity in 5 minutes

Immediate effect

10–30 minutes

2–5 minutes

Safety

Toxic and irritant to skin, serious eye irritant (use protective eyewear)

Safe and non-toxic and non-irritant to skin and eyes

Toxic and irritant to skin and eyes

Toxic and irritant to skin and eyes

Odour

Odour not significant

Odourless

Strong odour

Strong odour

Physical characteristics

Leaves residue

Does not evaporate and leaves no residue

Leaves residue

Evaporates quickly

Disadvantages

Materials compatibility concerns (lead, brass, copper, zinc) both cosmetic and functional. Limited clinical experience. Potential for eye and skin damage

Corrosiveness

Oxidising

None

Corrosive

Corrosion of metal

Discolouration

Cosmetic changes e.g. discolouration of black anodised metal finishes

None

Discolouration of fabrics and plastic surfaces

Prolonged use— discolouration and cracking of rubber and plastics

Other

FDA approved

Non-FDA cleared

Flammable

No

No

No

Yes

Ease of use

Rinsing, Spray and wipe

Spray and Foggers

Spray and wipe

Spray and wipe

Cost

+ manual ++ automated

++

+

++++

Accessed and adapted from: Stanford University: Environmental Health and Safety. https://ehs.stanford.edu/reference/comparing-different-disinfectant and the Centers for Disease Control. Chemical disinfectants—Guidelines for disinfection and sterilisation in health care facilities (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection-methods/chemical.html).