Disinfectants Resources
Access the Recorded Disinfectants Call
You can listen to a recording of the February 4th call, "The Facts & Myths of Disinfectants," by calling (218) 339-4699, access code 109099#.
Speakers' Presentations
Marcie Tidd's Power Point
Marcie Tidd, microbiologist with the US EPA in the Office of Pesticide Programs, Antimicrobial Division.
Dr. Ann Blake's Power Point
Ann Blake, PhD., Environmental and Public Health Consulting
Fact Sheets
Cleaning for Health Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment: Antimicrobial Cleaning Products from INFORM, Inc.
Antimicrobial Products: Who Needs Them? from the Washington Toxics Coalition
Sanitizers and Disinfectants Guide from Healthy Schools Network
Sanitize Safely and Effectively: Bleach and Alternatives in Child Care Programs from the California Child Healthcare Program
Easy and Safe Cleaning Products for the Home from SFEnvironment.org
WVE Green Cleaning Recipes – English
WVE Green Cleaning Recipes - Spanish
Additional Q & A about the disinfectants call
Q: I would like an online reference for these ‘factoids’ or studies or programs that were mentioned in the talk.
A: See here
Q: I was surprised to learn that bleach has sodium hydroxide in it as well as sodium hypochlorite. A quick check at the Clorox website shows: "The bleach cycle starts with salt water, which is broken down by electric current into sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and chlorine. The sodium hydroxide is mixed with water. Next, chlorine is added to form sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in liquid bleach. The bleach is bottled and shipped to retailers." Does this mean the sodium hydroxide remains present as an ingredient, or has it been changed into sodium hypochlorite? One popular rumor-dispelling website, Snopes.com, says it is NOT present in the finished product. Another, Truth or Fiction, says it IS generally less than 1 percent of the volume.
A: According to Clorox Bleach’s MSDS, Sodium hydroxide is listed as an ingredient (maximum 1%), which contributes to the product having a high pH >11.
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