Sanitizers are chemicals that are used to reduce the number of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) on a surface to a safe level, as determined by public health standards or requirements. Sanitizers are not necessarily intended to kill all types of pathogens on a surface, but rather to reduce their number to a level that is considered safe from a public health perspective.
Sanitizers are used in a variety of settings, including:
- Food service establishments: Sanitizers are used to clean and disinfect food contact surfaces, such as countertops, cutting boards, and utensils. This helps to prevent the spread of foodborne illness.
- Health care settings: Sanitizers are used to clean and disinfect medical equipment and surfaces in hospitals and other health care facilities. This helps to prevent the spread of infection among patients.
- Public restrooms: Sanitizers are often used to clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces, such as faucets, toilet handles, and countertops. This helps to prevent the spread of illness through contact with these surfaces.
- Homes and other residential settings: Sanitizers can be used to clean and disinfect surfaces in homes and other residential settings. This can help to reduce the risk of illness from common household pathogens.
Sanitizers can be used in conjunction with other cleaning and disinfection methods, such as mechanical cleaning (e.g., scrubbing) and heat treatment (e.g., boiling), to ensure that a surface is properly cleaned and disinfected.
