Never use an antiseptic to disinfect __________________

Never use an antiseptic to disinfect __________________

• A. instruments or other surfaces
• B. the skin
• C. hair
• D. clothing

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the difference between antiseptics and disinfectants. Antiseptics are formulated for use on living tissue, like skin, to reduce or kill microbes there. Disinfectants are designed for non-living surfaces and equipment to kill microbes on inanimate objects. Using an antiseptic to disinfect instruments or other surfaces isn’t appropriate because antiseptics aren’t approved or tested for surface disinfection, may not have the right spectrum of activity, and can be unsafe or ineffective on non-living materials. For tools and surfaces, you should rely on EPA-registered disinfectants that specify they are for inanimate objects and provide the needed disinfection level with the correct contact time. So for keeping a salon clean and safe, use antiseptics on skin and disinfectants on instruments and surfaces. The other items listed—skin, hair, clothing—are managed differently (antiseptics on skin and cleaning methods appropriate to fabric or hair), but the requirement to disinfect instruments or surfaces is specifically about using a disinfectant, not an antiseptic.

The key idea is the difference between antiseptics and disinfectants. Antiseptics are formulated for use on living tissue, like skin, to reduce or kill microbes there. Disinfectants are designed for non-living surfaces and equipment to kill microbes on inanimate objects.

Using an antiseptic to disinfect instruments or other surfaces isn’t appropriate because antiseptics aren’t approved or tested for surface disinfection, may not have the right spectrum of activity, and can be unsafe or ineffective on non-living materials. For tools and surfaces, you should rely on EPA-registered disinfectants that specify they are for inanimate objects and provide the needed disinfection level with the correct contact time.

So for keeping a salon clean and safe, use antiseptics on skin and disinfectants on instruments and surfaces. The other items listed—skin, hair, clothing—are managed differently (antiseptics on skin and cleaning methods appropriate to fabric or hair), but the requirement to disinfect instruments or surfaces is specifically about using a disinfectant, not an antiseptic.