Sanitizers and disinfectants are both used to kill or reduce the number of microorganisms on surfaces, but they differ in their effectiveness, target organisms, and regulatory definitions:
1. Purpose and Effectiveness:
- Sanitizers: Sanitizers are designed to reduce the number of bacteria on surfaces to safe levels as determined by public health standards. They are typically used on food-contact surfaces and are effective against a limited range of bacteria.
- Disinfectants: Disinfectants are stronger than sanitizers and are designed to kill a broader spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are used on non-porous surfaces to destroy or inactivate pathogens.
2. Target Organisms:
- Sanitizers: Sanitizers primarily target bacteria and may have limited effectiveness against viruses and fungi.
- Disinfectants: Disinfectants target a wider range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and some spores.
3. Regulatory Definitions:
- Sanitizers: In the United States, sanitizers are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are defined as products that reduce, but not necessarily eliminate, bacteria on surfaces.
- Disinfectants: Disinfectants are also regulated by the EPA and are defined as products that destroy or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces.
4. Contact Time:
- Sanitizers: Sanitizers typically require shorter contact times than disinfectants. They may need only a few seconds to a few minutes to be effective.
- Disinfectants: Disinfectants usually require longer contact times to ensure they effectively kill or inactivate pathogens. Contact times can range from several minutes to several hours, depending on the product and the microorganisms being targeted.
In summary, sanitizers are milder and are primarily used to reduce bacteria on surfaces to safe levels, especially on food-contact surfaces. Disinfectants, on the other hand, are stronger and are designed to kill or inactivate a wider range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, on non-porous surfaces.