Chemical substances and health protection

TOPIC

Chemical substances and health protection

Detergents, disinfectants and disinfestants

The terms detergent and disinfectant are often confused with each other; while the former has the purpose of removing dirt (cleanse), the latter is formulated to drastically decrease the presence of bacteria, fungi, and / or viruses (disinfect) and pest control substances address higher organisms, such as insects, rodents, etc. (Disinfestation).

These types of product are also distinguished by the fact that disinfectants and pest control substances are not free to sell like detergents, but are subject to a harmonized authorization procedure at national and European level for making them available on the market, guaranteeing a high level of protection to human and animal health and the environment.



Back Rapporto ISS COVID-19 n. 19/2020 Rev.- Raccomandazioni ad interim sui disinfettanti nell’attuale emergenza COVID-19: presidi medico-chirurgici e biocidi. Versione del 13 luglio 2020

Raccomandazioni ad interim sui disinfettanti nell’attuale emergenza COVID-19: presidi medico-chirurgici e biocidi. Versione del 13 luglio 2020.
Gruppo di lavoro ISS Biocidi COVID-19
2020, ii, 26 p. Rapporto ISS COVID-19 n. 19/2020 Rev.

Il rapporto presenta una panoramica relativa all’ambito della “disinfezione” con l’intento di chiarire punti quali: tipologia di prodotti disinfettanti, sia per la cute umana sia per le superfici, disponibili sul mercato italiano, efficacia di questi prodotti contro i virus, etichette di pericolo presenti sui prodotti, condizioni per un loro corretto utilizzo al fine di garantirne efficacia e sicurezza d’uso. Il rapporto precisa i termini usati nell’ambito della disinfezione chiarendo la differenza tra disinfettante, sanificante, igienizzante per le mani e per l’ambiente e detergente.


Interim recommendations on disinfectants products during COVID-19 health emergency: medical surgical devices and biocidal products. Version of July 13, 2020.
ISS Working group on Biocides COVID-19
2020, ii, 26 p. Rapporto ISS COVID-19 n. 19/2020 Rev. (in Italian)

The document presents an overview concerning “disinfection” in order to clarify issues such as: types of disinfectants, for either skin or surfaces, available on Italian market; efficacy of these products against viruses; labelling on products; conditions of proper use in order to guarantee efficacy and safe use. This report also gives a glossary for terms used in the disinfection field, clarifying differences between disinfectant, sanitizing, hand or surfaces/environment sanitizer and detergent.


Dipartimenti/Centri/Servizi

Chemicals, cosmetics and consumer protection

Topics

Detergents, disinfectants and disinfestants Chemical substances and health protection