PHENOL AND PHENOLICS

Triclosan is a chemical with antibacterial properties. For decades, triclosan has been added to personal care products,
such as hand soaps and cosmetics, and materials ranging from athletic clothing to food packaging. When you use a
product containing triclosan, you can absorb a small amount through your skin or mouth.
In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that triclosan is not generally recognized as safe and effective
for antiseptic products intended for use in health care settings. In 2016, the FDA also banned over-the-counter consumer
antiseptic wash products containing triclosan from being marketed to consumers. These products include liquid, foam
and gel hand soaps, bar soaps, and body washes. The basis of the ban was that manufacturers haven't proved that
triclosan is safe for daily use over a long period.
The FDA's steps follow recent studies that have raised questions about whether triclosan is hazardous to human health.
Research has shown that triclosan:

 Alters hormone regulation in animals

 Might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs
 Might be harmful to the immune system
Triclosan isn't an essential ingredient in many products. Triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown to help prevent
gingivitis. However, there's no evidence that antibacterial soaps and body washes containing triclosan provide any benefit
over plain soap and water, according to the FDA.

BIGUANIDES [CHLORHEXIDINE]
Chlorhexidine is the most popular antiseptic of this group. It has potent antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive
and some gram-negative bacteria but not against spores. A 0.1% aqueous solution is bactericidal against Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 15 sec. However, it is relatively ineffective against other gram-
negative organisms, spores, fungi, and most viruses. Nosocomial infections by Pseudomonas spp have developed from the
use of contaminated chlorhexidine solutions in which the bacteria persisted. In susceptible organisms, chlorhexidine
disrupts the cytoplasmic membrane. Its activity is unaffected or enhanced by alcohols, quaternary ammonium
compounds, and alkaline pH, and is somewhat depressed by high concentrations of organic matter (pus, blood, etc), hard
water, and contact with cork. It is incompatible with anionic compounds, including soap.

Chlorhexidine is one of the most commonly used surgical and dental antiseptics. A 4% emulsion of chlorhexidine
gluconate is used as a skin cleanser, a 0.5% (w/v) solution in 70% isopropanol as a general antiseptic, and a 0.5% solution
in 70% isopropanol with emollients as a hand rinse. Chlorhexidine soaps have good residual activity, which may be
advantageous when applied as a presurgical scrub for prolonged surgical procedures. Chlorhexidine-alcohol mixtures are
particularly effective in that they combine the antiseptic rapidity of alcohol with the persistence of chlorhexidine. Because
of its antiseptic properties and low potential for systemic or dermal toxicity, chlorhexidine has been incorporated into
shampoos, ointments, skin and wound cleansers, teat dips, and surgical scrubs. A 1% chlorhexidine acetate ointment is
used as a topical antiseptic in treatment of external wounds in dogs, cats, and horses. Contact dermatitis has been
reported in up to 8% of human patients after repeated topical exposure. Little data are available on hypersensitivity
reactions in animals.

Alcohols

 usually ethanol or isopropanol, are sometimes

used as a disinfectant, but more often as an
antiseptic
 They have wide microbicidal activity,
 Are non corrosive, but can be a fire hazard.
 They also have limited residual activity due to
evaporation, which results in brief contact
times, and
 Have a limited activity in the presence of
organic material.
 1. Alcohols are more effective combined with
purified water70 isopropyl alcohol or 70 ethyl
alcohol is more effective than 90 alcohol,
because the higher water content allows for
greater diffusion through the cell membrane.
2. Alcohol is effective against resistant fungal and
bacterial spores.

ALDEHYDES

1. Aldehydes, such as Glutaraldehyde, have a wide

microbiocidal activity and are sporocidal and

fungicidal.
2. They are partly inactivated by organic matter and
have slight residual activity.
3. Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde are volatile, and
toxic by both skin contact and inhalation.
4. Glutaraldehyde has a short shelf life (lt2 weeks),
and is expensive.
5. Formaldehyde is less expensive and has a much
longer shelf life if some methanol is added to
inhibit polymerization to paraformaldehyde, but
is much more volatile
6. Formaldehyde is also used as a gaseous
sterilizing agent in this case, it is prepared
on-site by depolymerization of solid
paraformaldehyde

surface-active agents 
are basic cleaning agents in soaps and detergents. These agents are added to wash water to lower
its surface tension, thereby to increase the wetting and spreading properties of water.