! Chemical !! Trade Name !! Safe or Toxic !! Comments
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|-
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| Phenol/Cresol || Lysol || Toxic || Effective against acid fast bacteria, less so against fungi, no effect against spores.
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| Quaternary ammonium compounds || Ark-Klens / Cetrimide || Safe || Effective, broad antibacterial activity. Poor efficacy against spores, viruses and fungi. Inactive in presence of soap.
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| Chlorhexidine || Hibitane || Safe || Effective, broad spectrum activity in presence of organic matter and other antiseptics. Inactive in presence of soap.
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| Hypochlorites || Milton || Safe || Unstable in solution and repeated use may cause skin irritation and burns.
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| Iodophores || Tamodine-E / Betadine / Povidon-iodine || Safe || Good against gram positive and negative bacteria, viruses and spores. Poor against acid fast bacilli and spores. Solution active as long as brown colour remains.
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| Dodecyclo-di-glycine || Amprotect || Safe || Good spectrum of activity against gram positive and negative bacteria, fungi and viruses.
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| Formaldehyde
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| -
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| Toxic
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|Poisonous but can be used to disinfect empty vivaria.