Ace the 2026 CBIC Certification – Master Infection Control with Confidence!

Alcohol is classified as an intermediate disinfectant due to its ability to effectively destroy a broad range of microbes, including bacteria and fungi, and to inactivate many viruses. When used in appropriate concentrations, particularly 60% to 90% isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, it denatures proteins and disrupts cellular membranes, leading to microbial cell death.

Intermediate-level disinfectants are essential in healthcare settings where the risk of infection is significant, as they provide a reliable method for disinfecting surfaces and tools that come into contact with non-invasive medical equipment, skin, and mucous membranes. Alcohol is not classified as a low-level disinfectant, which is less effective against certain pathogens, nor a high-level disinfectant, which is used for sterilizing critical items that require a higher level of microbial elimination, such as surgical instruments. Additionally, labeling it as a non-effective agent is inaccurate, as alcohol has been proven to be effective in various disinfection scenarios.