What are two high-level disinfectants?

High-level disinfectants are capable of inactivating most microorganisms, including bacterial spores, and are essential in dental settings to ensure the safety and sterility of instruments and surfaces. Ethylene oxide gas and glutaraldehyde liquid are widely recognized as high-level disinfectants due to their effectiveness against a broad spectrum of pathogens.

Ethylene oxide is a gas that penetrates materials and is particularly effective in sterilizing heat-sensitive medical devices. It works through alkylation, which disrupts the cellular structure of microorganisms. This makes it highly suitable for items that cannot withstand high temperatures, such as certain plastics and instruments.

Glutaraldehyde, on the other hand, is a liquid chemical that is often used to disinfect and sterilize equipment that requires immersion. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi and is frequently utilized in dental practices for instruments that cannot be heat-sterilized. When used properly, glutaraldehyde displays quick action and excellent penetration.

The other options, while they include substances that have disinfectant properties, do not qualify as high-level disinfectants in the same manner as ethylene oxide and glutaraldehyde. For example, while chlorine and hydrogen peroxide are important in disinfection, they have limitations in terms of their effectiveness