Disinfectant

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-008158",
  "term": "Disinfectant",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A chemical (commonly chlorine, chloramine, or ozone) or physical process (e.g., ultraviolet light) that kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.\n\n2. A chemical that destroys vegetative forms of harmful microorganisms, but does not ordinarily kill bacterial spores.\n\n3. Any oxidant, including but not limited to chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, and ozone, that is added to water in any part of the treatment or distribution process and is intended to kill or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.\n\n4. A chemical or physical process that kills pathogenic organisms in water, air, or on surfaces. Chlorine is often used to disinfect sewage treatment effluent, water supplies, wells, and swimming pools.\n\n5. Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying spores as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from antiseptics, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)\n\n6. Substance, or mixture of substances, that destroys or irreversibly inactivates bacteria, fungi and viruses, but not necessarily bacterial spores, in the inanimate environment.\n\n7. Any oxidant, including but not limited to chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, and ozone added to water in any part of the treatment or distribution process, that is intended to kill or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Safe Drinking Water Act Glossary; Drinking Water Glossary",
    "Pesticides Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)",
    "40 CFR 158.2203 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 141.2 (CFR 2018)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/disinfectant/"
}