Beef Cattle Handbook

BCH-3010 Product of Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee

Adapted from the Cattle Producer’s Library

Disinfectants and Disinfection: A Guide to Reducing Disease Buildup

Jack Gaskin, Veterinary Virologist, University of Florida

G. W. Meyerholz, Extension Veterinarian, University of Florida

Disinfection is important in controlling the accumulation guide to selecting currently used disinfectants.
and spread of disease-causing microorganisms. This is
especially true in modern livestock and poultry buildings Disinfectants
where continuous use and high concentrations of ani-
mals may result in a condition referred to as “disease Alkalies
build up.” As disease-producing bacteria, fungi, and para- Alkalies have been used as germicidal agents since
site eggs accumulate in the environment, disease prob- antiquity. A pH greater than 9 will inhibit most bacteria
lems can be transmitted to each successive group of and is destructive to many viruses.
animals raised. Cattle-raising facilities, swine buildings, Lye (soda lye) contains approximately 94 percent
and poultry houses are especially vulnerable. Thorough sodium hydroxide, a very effective disinfectant. For dis-
cleaning and disinfection often provide the only success- infectant purposes, lye should be applied as a 2 percent
ful solution to breaking the disease cycle and controlling solution in hot or boiling water (one pound of lye to 5.5
the problem. gallons of water). Concentrated lye is a caustic poison
and must be handled with care. Solutions of lye are inju-
Principles of Disinfection rious to painted or varnished surfaces and to textiles if
Because organic matter (dirt and manure for the most allowed to remain in contact with them for very long.
part) inactivates certain disinfectants and protects infec- Lye does not injure bare wood, enamelware, earthen-
tive microorganisms from germicidal activity, good clean- ware, or any of the common metals except aluminum.
ing is a necessary prerequisite to proper disinfection. Lime (calcium oxide, quicklime) is one of the least
Simple scrubbing or a high velocity stream of water can expensive disinfectants and is reasonably good for use
do an excellent job of removing organic matter. Use of around livestock. Powdered lime may be scattered about
detergent solutions will hasten dirt and manure removal, yards or lots or swept over concrete floors for general
increasing the wetting speed, and breaking organic mat- disinfection. Since it tends to dry the skin and hoofs of
ter into small particles that easily wash away. Portable animals, sometimes causing cracks that invite foot rot,
steam generators—”steam jennies”—are useful for clean- avoid using excessive amounts of lime on concrete
ing dirty surfaces, but do not kill organisms effectively. floors.
Removing accumulated grime permits disinfectants to
more easily penetrate and kill infective organisms. Surfactants
The chemical disinfectants that are commercially Surfactants (surface-active agents) are chemical com-
available have different characteristics. Many factors pounds that lower the surface tension of aqueous solu-
must be weighed in choosing a proper disinfectant for a tions and thus promote wetting.
particular job. The following discussion is intended as a Soaps, in general, are mild disinfectants. They are

BCH-3010 1
antibacterial against certain gram-positive organisms ing most common types of bacteria but is too expensive
such as the common skin-inhabiting species, but are and toxic for general use. Concentrations in excess of 2
much less effective against the gram-negative microor- percent phenol are dangerous for all species of animals,
ganisms associated with fecal contamination. The prima- particularly cats, because of absorption through the skin.
ry value of soaps as disinfectants is in facilitating the Cresol is relatively inexpensive and efficient as a
mechanical removal of contaminated organic matter. disinfectant. It is not readily soluble in water and hot
Quaternary ammonium compounds are surfactants water should be used for preparing solutions.
commonly used as general antibacterial disinfectants of Saponated cresol preparations such as “Lysol” are mix-
dairy, meat-packing, and food-handling equipment. They tures of cresol with soap to form more readily soluble
do not possess substantial viricidal, fungicidal, or spori- solutions for easier application. Cresylic compounds, in
cidal action and are used chiefly as sanitizing rinses for general, are not suitable for use in dairy barns because
eating, drinking, and dairy utensils after mechanical their strong and persistent odor may contaminate milk.
cleaning. These compounds are not suitable for disinfec- USDA recommends using 4 ounces of an acceptable
tion of premises since they are readily inactivated by cresol or saponated cresol compound per gallon of
organic matter. They are also neutralized by soaps, and water for disinfecting animal quarters, carriers, and
therefore surfaces to be disinfected with them should be premises. Pressure spraying is the easiest and most effi-
thoroughly rinsed. cient method of application.
Sodium orthophenylphenate is a coal tar derivative
Halogens that has been recognized as an official disinfectant by
Halogens, such as chlorine and iodine, and halogen com- USDA, primarily because of its effectiveness against
pounds have potent antibacterial effects. In the presence tuberculosis organisms. It is readily soluble in water, has
of organic matter, iodine is more active than chlorine. potent germicidal activity and is active in the presence
The activity of iodine solutions is directly related to of detergents and moderate amounts of organic materi-
the amount of free iodine present. Tincture of iodine is a al. Because it is irritating to the eyes and mucous mem-
2 percent solution of elementary iodine in alcohol, and branes, simple precautions must be observed during its
is a very effective antiseptic. Strong tincture of iodine (7 use, but it has no objectionable odor and is therefore
percent) has a greater antibacterial action but is more suitable for use in dairy bams.
irritating to tissue. Iodophors are combinations of iodine
and solubilizing compounds, usually non-ionic deter- Miscellaneous Disinfectants
gents. They are non-staining, non-irritating, and largely Hydrogen peroxide solution releases free oxygen rapidly
free from the risk of producing hypersensitivity. upon contact with mucous membranes or denuded sur-
Iodophors, sometimes referred to as “tamed iodines,” faces that provide the enzyme catalase. When hydrogen
are now commonly used for disinfection of dairy uten- peroxide is applied to a wound containing exudate, its
sils and equipment and for teat dipping after milking. effervescence in the recesses of the wound is beneficial
Iodophors prepared for use on equipment contain phos- in the mechanical removal of pus and organic debris. In
phoric acid and should not be used on skin. infected tissue, hydrogen peroxide is probably of more
Chlorine acts rapidly against bacteria, spores, fungi, value as a cleaning agent than as a germicide.
and viruses. Its activity, however, is substantially Common alcohols are good solvents, antiseptics,
reduced by the presence of organic matter. So prelimi- and disinfectants. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, grain alcohol)
nary cleaning is essential before chlorine disinfectant is is commonly used as a dilution of 70 percent by weight
used. Solutions of sodium hypochlorite, similar to those or 78 percent by volume for cleaning and disinfecting
used in laundry bleaches, are commonly used to disin- the skin, syringes, instruments, etc. This concentration
fect dairy utensils. These solutions decompose when has greater germicidal activity than either more concen-
exposed to light so they must be protected. A 2 percent trated or more dilute solutions. Isopropyl alcohol has
solution of calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder, antibacterial properties similar to ethyl alcohol and is
chloride of lime) is a cheap, but effective disinfectant for generally used in the same concentration. Isopropyl
buildings and utensils. Its action, however, is readily dis- alcohol, being non-intoxicating, is exempt from the spe-
sipated by organic matter, and careful cleaning should cial tax that must be paid on ethyl alcohol, and for disin-
precede its use. Powdered chlorinated lime may be dust- fecting purposes is cheaper and just as effective.
ed directly on contaminated livestock quarters as a pow- Chlorhexidine (“Nolvasan”) is a synthetic com-
erful deodorant as well as a good disinfectant. It should pound that has been found useful in disinfecting conta-
be stored in air-tight containers because it deteriorates minated equipment and premises, sanitizing udder
upon exposure to air. Chloramines are organic chlorine cloths and milking equipment, and as a topical germi-
compounds that release chlorine slowly and exert a pro- cide for treating wounds and dipping teats. It is active
longed bacterial effect. They are less toxic and irritating against a variety of microorganisms, is not appreciably
than the hypochlorites. inactivated by small quantities of organic matter, and is
relatively non-toxic. Chlorhexidine is commercially avail-
Coal and Wood Tar Derivatives able as a 2 percent solution and in other forms.
Phenol (carbolic acid) is reasonably effective in destroy- Formaldehyde solution can be purchased as an

2 Beef Cattle Handbook

aqueous solution containing about 40 percent formalde-
hyde gas, commonly known by the name Formalin. A
concentration of 40 percent formaldehyde gas is an
excellent and reliable disinfectant and is lethal to
anthrax spores within 15 minutes. Fumigation with
formaldehyde has been popular in large poultry houses
and swine units. Proper disinfection depends on a long
period of exposure at proper concentrations and humid-
ity. Because the gas tends to condense at low tempera-
tures, fumigation with formaldehyde is unreliable below
65°F. Buildings should be thoroughly cleaned before
fumigation and must be aired for 12 to 24 hours before
reuse.
There are two methods of fumigating with
formaldehyde gas. The first employs wide bottom buck-
ets placed approximately every 10 feet through the
length of the building. In each receptacle, 175 grams (10
level tablespoons) of potassium permanganate is
placed, then 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of a 40 percent solu-
tion of formaldehyde (formalin) is poured over it. Under
proper conditions this mixture will generate enough
formaldehyde gas to disinfect 1,000 cubic feet of space.
The second method employs a white powder,
paraformaldehyde, and commercially available electric
heating units that release the gas from the powder. With
either method, the floor should be moistened about 15
minutes before fumigation, and the building must be
kept tightly closed for at least 8 hours.

Summary
Each of the disinfectants has advantages and disadvan-
tages. The proper choice of a disinfectant for a particular
job is an important decision and involves consideration
of many factors. Thorough cleaning, including the use of
detergents, is an essential step that must precede the
proper application of germicidal agents. Frequent
manure removal, routine cleanliness, and proper disin-
fection are management procedures that can provide
great dividends in healthy and productive livestock.
These simple measures reduce the hazards of disease
buildup that significantly increase death losses, reduce
growth rates or feeding efficiency, and decrease profits.

Adapted from CATTLE PRODUCER’S LIBRARY CL615

Authors:
Jack Gaskin, Veterinary Virologist, University of Florida
G. W. Meyerholz, Extension Veterinarian, University of Florida

This publication was prepared in cooperation with the Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee and its member states and produced in
an electronic format by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension
work, ACTS of May 8 and June 30, 1914.

BCH-3010 Disinfectants and Disinfection: A Guide to Reducing Disease Buildup

BCH-3010 3