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Use of Bleach in Prevention of Transmission
of HIV in Health Care Settings

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Health and Safety | Biosafety Branch
(Date Last Revised: March 9, 1995)


Studies have shown that HIV is inactivated rapidly after being exposed to commonly used chemical germicides at concentrations that are much lower than used in practice (1-4). Embalming fluids are similar to the types of chemical germicides that have been tested and found to completely inactivate HIV. In addition to commercially available chemical germicides, a solution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) prepared daily is an inexpensive and effective germicide. Concentrations ranging from approximately 500 ppm (1:100 dilution of household bleach) sodium hypochlorite to 5,000 ppm (1:10 dilution of household bleach) are effective depending on the amount of organic material (e.g., Blood, mucus) present on the surface to be cleaned and disinfected. Commercially available chemical germicides may be more compatible with certain medical devices that might be corroded by repeated exposure to sodium hypochlorite, especially to the 1:10 dilution.

Reference:

  1. Spire B, Montagnier L, Barre'-Sinoussi F, Chermann JC. Inactivation of lymphadenopathy associated virus by chemical disinfectants. Lancet 1984;2:899-901.
  2. Martin LS, McDougal JS, Loskoski SL. Disinfection and inactivation of the human T lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus. J Infect Dis 1985; 152:400-3.
  3. McDougal JS, Martin LS, Cort SP, etal. Thermal inactivation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus-III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus, with special reference to antihemophilic factor. J Clin Invest 1985;76:875-7.
  4. Spire B, Barre'-Sinoussi F, Dormont D. Montagnier L, Chermann JC. Inactivation of lymphadenopathy-associated by heat, gamma rays, and ultraviolet light. Lancet 1985;1:188-9.

CITATION:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recommendations for Prevention of HIV transmission in health-care settings.
MMWR 1987;36(2S):p10S.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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