Disinfectant

Disinfectants are chemical substances used to disinfect surfaces, instruments or skin, and to disinfect water. Depending on the pathogen (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores), these are referred to as bactericides, virucides, fungicides and sporicides. A log10 level is a unit of measurement for germ reduction by one power of ten in each case: A log10 level reduces the existing germ quantity by 90 %; of the original population of 100, only ten have survived. Disinfection is only achieved with about four to seven log10 levels.