The principle use for this product is in the testing of disinfectants and antiseptics.
In 1989, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) set up a technical committee to produce harmonised test methods for disinfectants and antiseptics.
The CEN standards provide a useful basis for disinfectant validation, and although alternative methods could be used for assessing disinfectant efficacy, following the same basic methods allows not only direct comparison between products but also comparison across various different laboratories.
The adaptability of the methods – numerous validation studies based on the CEN methods have been accepted by both the European and US regulatory authorities – allows end- users to customise the methods to their specific requirements.
Lecithin and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) inactivate surface disinfectants (lecithin neutralises quaternary ammonium compounds and Tween 80 neutralises phenols, formalin, hexachlorophene and in combination with the lecithin ethanol).
L-histidine, in combination with lecithin and Tween 80, neutralises aldehydes and formaldehyde generating agents.
Sodium thiosulphate neutralises iodine and chlorine.
