Hygiene Matters
What's in a Disinfectant?
You all know what a disinfectant is supposed to do, but did you know that different types of disinfectants kill different bugs? Did you also know that disinfectants can also be adversely affected by the materials they are cleaning?
In this article we will show the differences between five different types of disinfectants and reveal why Avisafe/Enviroclens is one of the best disinfectants for your birds' health.
The chart shown below outlines the good and bad sides of different disinfectants.
Bleach
PROS:
Effective against a wide range of bacteria.
Widely available.
Easy to dispose of.
Cheap.
CONS:
Effectiveness is affected by concentration. The concentration of bleach is hardly ever printed on bottles and there is no standard concentration when sold through ordinary retail outlets.
Limited effect against viruses.Rapidly neutralized by organic matter which makes it ineffective in an aviary environment where large amounts of organic material are commonly present.
Corrosive, even on some metals. Will rot many natural materials (wood, cloth etc...)
Fumes toxic to birds.
Unstable. Its disinfecting abilities degrade with time.
Glutaraldehyde / Formaldehyde
PROS:
Effective against bacteria.
CONS:
Slow acting, 2-12 hours needed for full effect.
Very strong smell.
Neutralized by organic matter so prior cleaning is necessary.
Complicated to use, (requires activating).
Short shelf life, 60% of activity is lost within 4 weeks of activating.
Toxic. Very hard to dispose of. Many waste contractors will refuse to remove or empty Septic Tanks which contain aldehyde contaminated effluent.
Formaldehyde causes respiratory distress and allergic dermatitis in humans.
Alcohols
PROS:
Effective against bacteria, limited effectiveness against viruses.
CONS:
Some types of Alcohol (isopropanol) are ineffective against viruses, others only effect certain types of virus. Unlikely to be effective against fungi and algae.
Very strong solution - 70% - required to be effective.
Does not penetrate well into organic matter (e.g. wooden perches, nest boxes and cages)
Expensive
Highly flammable
Hydrogen Peroxide
PROS:
Very effective against bacteria and viruses
CONS:
Explosive in strong concentrations. MUST NOT be kept in air tight conditions.
Degrades with time
Hard to obtain. Only commonly available in powder form in denture cleaners where the explosive nature of the chemical has been controlled.
Halogenated Tertiary Amines [Avisafe/Enviroclens]
PROS:
Effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae.
Biodegradable.
Safe, non-corrosive and easy to use.
No toxic fumes or strong smells given off.
Can be used in the presence of birds so long as no puddles are left. Does not require to be rinsed off afterwards.
Inexpensive.
Stable, long shelf.
CONS:
Generally not as easily obtained as bleach.
Has a detergent action and so may cause some skin irritation/drying after prolonged use.
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So, from the table above, which disinfectant would you use in your birds' and your own environments?
If you chose the last on the list, Halogenated Tertiary Amines you made the right choice, in fact you made the same choice as the nurses and auxiliaries from Veterinary Practices Ltd.
If you are using Avisafe/Enviroclens from The Birdcare Company, CONGRATULATIONS! You are already using one of the best disinfectants for use in bird rooms and the home environment available today!
Avisafe/Enviroclens is a halogenated tertiary amine based product available in both a concentrate and pre-diluted form. The concentrate has a shelf life of two years and when diluted, stays active for an amazing six months.
To sum up, Avisafe/Enviroclens is:
* Non-Irritant
* Non-Hazardous
* Non-Corrosive
* Non-Tainting
* Non-Staining
* Biodegradable
and above all...
* Effective.
Information used to write this article supplied by:
Nu-Line Technology
VPI Ltd
Remember to use Aviclens/Saniclens in your birds' drinking water to reduce the risk of infections spreading through your flock.
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The Birdcare Company
