Material damage due to disinfectant residues in hygiene and disinfectant cleaners in the field of fitness, physical and rehabilitation sports
Questionable disinfectants of the active substance group “quaternary ammonium compounds” and containing harmful substances are not only suspected of damaging health and the environment, but also the surface properties of the material to be disinfected.
Currently at heavily frequented Sports and fitness studios as well as physio centers is a reliable prophylaxis for hygiene Prevention of smear infections and unpleasant smells indispensable. The development of an adequate hygiene strategy to reduce the germ load and ensure a positive user experience is in the foreground and forms the Basis for long-term customer satisfaction .
The thing with surface disinfection
Under the Surface disinfection one understands the Inactivation or that Kill of Microorganisms on previously cleaned (potentially) contaminated contact surfaces. This is to ensure that after the disinfection process of the surface to be disinfected, no more damage to health or product can occur [1].
To a optimal disinfection effect To achieve this, the surface to be disinfected must be a suitable material, especially a smooth surface have. Smooth means in the sense of the surface quality that so-called Roughness peaks from 10 μm – so 0.001 mm ( not visible to the naked eye! ) – already provide enough space for pathogens not to be detected during a surface disinfection [1] .
How “harmless” are the ingredients of common disinfectants really?
And this is exactly where the problem with common disinfectants lies: Even with supposedly harmless ingredients such as alcohol, it can be assumed that material damage will occur if the surface is not treated accordingly. Alcohol as a disinfecting agent for surface disinfection causes the surfaces to “ dry out ” in a typical way and is absorbed into the surfaces without leaving any residue (without appropriate post-treatment). Material damage to the treated area is inevitable. But besides alcohol there are of course numerous other common active ingredients and additives. If the residue remains, it can even be assumed that there are far more unpleasant and stronger side effects [2] .
A Active ingredient group falls, however particularly negative on and owns next to the suspicion on material damaging properties proven toxic properties For human and environment . Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAV) are among other things as an active ingredient in traditional common disinfectants contain, provided it mostly Not about a product based on alcohol acts. The most common are:
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
- Dimethylbenzylammonium chloride
- Triclosan
- […]
These active ingredients are for humans toxic and strong irritant Chemicals , where even a low concentration can be enough to Allergies and skin irritations (contact dermatitis ) to evoke [2] [3] .
Due to the use as head – or Additional active ingredient in many Household cleaners and common (professional / industrial) Disinfectants the active ingredients of the QAV get onto the surfaces of the contact areas to be disinfected. Investigations showed an increased concentration of the accumulation Quaternary ammonium compounds in crack and wear areas of Plastic surfaces (polymers) Find [2] .
However, if you take a look at home studios and facilities and the commonly used disinfectants, it quickly becomes clear why disinfected contact surfaces in sports facilities wear out and leave a damaged surface. The regular use of these “chemical clubs” can therefore have a direct influence on material damage and skin irritation and also has a massive impact on the environment [2] [3] .
Sources and further reading:
[1] “Questions and Answers” – Process Hygiene; Dipl.-Biol. Regina Zschaler, Prof. Dr. med. vet. Walther Heesche; Behr ‘s GmbH; Edition: 1st edition 2011 (August 31, 2011)
[2] Investigations by Dr. Herbert Feld (Managing Director of OFG-Analytik GmbH): “Problematic distribution of quaternary ammonium compounds in everyday products”; Published in surfaces POLYSURFACES No. 05/2016
Resource link (accessed on July 5, 2019): https://www.polymedia.ch/OP/Articles/view/306
[3] Status of scientific services of the German Bundestag: “On the question of health risks from quaternary ammonium compounds” – Published 2019
Resource link (accessed on July 5, 2019): https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/592580/473fdcdad1d33001599e476fdea81898/WD-9-081-18-pdf-data.pdf
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