What is the recommended disinfectant for blood and body fluid contamination?

Sodium hypochlorite is the recommended disinfectant for blood and body fluid contamination due to its strong efficacy in killing a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This compound is commonly known as bleach and is effective in concentrations of around 1:10 to 1:100 dilution for surface disinfection. Its oxidizing properties enable it to break down the organic material found in blood and other body fluids, thereby rendering them safe to handle.

In medical settings, it is critical to use a disinfectant that has a proven track record of effectiveness against potential bloodborne pathogens, and sodium hypochlorite meets this requirement. Additionally, it is inexpensive and readily available, making it a practical choice for healthcare facilities.

Other disinfectants, while useful for different applications, do not provide the same level of efficacy against blood and body fluid contamination. Isopropyl alcohol is effective for skin antisepsis and cleaning, but it is not recommended for decontaminating blood spills. Hydrogen peroxide, while having some antibacterial properties, is less effective in high concentrations against certain pathogens found in blood. Chlorhexidine is primarily used as a skin antiseptic and is not typically utilized for cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood or body fluids.