Active Ingredients in Surface Disinfection

    Knowledge · Active Ingredients

    Active Ingredients in Surface Disinfection

    Scientifically founded guidance for modern surface hygiene.

    Why the Choice of Active Ingredient Matters

    Surface disinfection in healthcare must reliably reduce pathogens while being practical, material-friendly and manageable for staff. KRINKO 2022 describes surface disinfection as part of structured basic hygiene and outbreak prevention.

    ContaminationCorrect active ingredientProper applicationSafe surface disinfectionInfection prevention

    Key Active Ingredient Groups at a Glance

    Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC)

    Classification: Cationic surfactants

    Relevance: Widely used in routine disinfection

    Widely available
    Low cost
    Low acute toxicity
    Possible residue formation
    Layer build-up with continuous use
    Limited spectrum of action

    Alcohols

    Classification: Short-chain organic solvents

    Relevance: Fast action time, esp. hand disinfection

    Fast action
    Broad spectrum
    Residue-free
    Volatile / rapid evaporation
    Fire hazard
    Odor burden
    Limited material compatibility

    Amines / aldehyde-based systems

    Classification: Classic chemical disinfection systems

    Relevance: Historically established, increasingly critically assessed

    Broad spectrum possible
    Inhalation risks
    Occupational safety relevance
    Irritation potential
    KRINKO recommends alternatives

    Hydrogen Peroxide

    Modern active ingredient

    Classification: Oxidative / oxygen-active systems

    Relevance: Modern alternative for surface and room disinfection

    Modern oxidative principle
    KRINKO recommendation as alternative
    Good environmental compatibility
    Concentration-dependent efficacy
    Material testing required

    Organic Carboxylic Acids

    Modern active ingredient

    Classification: Aliphatic organic acids (e.g. lactic acid)

    Relevance: Increasingly relevant for modern hygiene concepts

    Favorable safety profile
    Environmentally friendly
    Limescale-dissolving effect
    Low residue formation
    Formulation-dependent
    pH-sensitive surfaces to consider

    Peracetic Acid

    Modern active ingredient

    Classification: Organic peracid (oxidative)

    Relevance: High-performance disinfection, sporicidal and virucidal

    Broad spectrum incl. spores
    Rapid decomposition into harmless residues
    Effective at low concentrations
    Corrosion potential for metals
    Odor-intensive
    Occupational safety measures required
    Material compatibility to check

    Critical Assessment of Classic Active Ingredient Groups

    KRINKO 2022 calls for a differentiated assessment of efficacy, risks to people and the environment, and actual suitability for medical areas.

    QAC – Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

    Quaternary ammonium compounds have long been widespread in surface disinfectants. They are established in many routine solutions but are increasingly under discussion in modern hygiene concepts.

    Possible residue formation on surfaces
    Potential layer build-up with frequent use
    Efficacy dependent on formulation and application
    Critical assessment in highly sensitive medical areas

    Alcohols

    Alcohols are fast-acting and indispensable in certain areas, especially hand hygiene. However, they are not always ideal for routine surface disinfection of larger areas.

    Rapid evaporation – short contact time
    Odor burden in enclosed spaces
    Fire hazard during storage and use
    Not optimal for large-scale routine disinfection

    Amines / classic problematic systems

    KRINKO 2022

    Classic chemical systems with problematic indoor air pollution or higher occupational safety risks must be critically evaluated.

    Inhalation risks for users
    Occupational safety – critical exposure
    Irritation of skin and airways
    KRINKO recommends evaluation of alternatives (e.g. H₂O₂)

    Modern Active Ingredient Concepts with a Future

    KRINKO 2022 identifies modern alternatives with favorable risk-benefit profiles for certain applications.

    KRINKO 2022

    Hydrogen Peroxide

    Hydrogen peroxide represents modern oxygen-active disinfection.

    Modern oxidative principle
    Good suitability for modern hygiene concepts
    Alternative to more problematic classic agents
    KRINKO explicitly names H₂O₂ as worth evaluating

    KRINKO 2022

    Organic Carboxylic Acids

    KRINKO 2022 describes organic carboxylic acids as having no toxic risks at application concentrations and being environmentally compatible.

    Favorable safety profile at application concentration
    Environmentally compatible
    Suitable for modern surface disinfection concepts
    Low residue issues

    KRINKO 2022

    Peracetic Acid

    Peracetic acid is an organic peracid with a strong oxidative principle and proven sporicidal efficacy.

    Sporicidal and virucidal efficacy
    Decomposition into harmless residues (acetic acid, water, oxygen)
    Effective at low concentrations
    Suitable for outbreak situations and high-risk areas

    What KRINKO 2022 Means for Selection

    KRINKO 2022 makes clear that for medical areas, regulatory minimum requirements alone are not sufficient. For reliable efficacy, robust, independent efficacy evidence and application-based assessment are essential.

    Active Ingredient GroupEfficacy SpectrumRisks / LimitationsPractical Relevance
    QACMediumResidues, layer build-upWidely established
    AlcoholsBroadVolatility, fire hazard, odorHand disinfection
    Amines / classic systemsBroad possibleInhalation, occupational safetyLimited
    Hydrogen PeroxideBroadConcentration-dependentModern, KRINKO-recommended
    Carboxylic AcidsGoodLowModern, environmentally friendly
    Peracetic AcidVery broad (sporicidal)Odor, corrosion, occupational safetySpecial applications, outbreak

    CleaningBox Approach

    CleaningBox Relies on Modern Active Ingredient Systems

    CleaningBox follows a modern, systemic approach to surface disinfection.

    High practical relevance in healthcare
    Reduce risks for users
    Material-friendly and practical
    Modern monitoring and training concepts

    Which Active Ingredient for Which Requirement?

    Patient-near contact surfaces

    Oxidative systems (H₂O₂)

    Large floor areas

    Carboxylic acids (low residue)

    Sensitive surfaces

    Material-friendly formulation

    Outbreak situations

    Sporicidal / virucidal systems

    Routine disinfection

    Everyday-suitable systems

    Odor sensitivity

    Low-odor agents

    Better Understand Modern Active Ingredients

    Learn which active ingredient systems fit your hygiene concept and how modern surface disinfection can be implemented safely, economically and in line with KRINKO.

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