Antimicrobials for Pathogens in Blood and Body Fluids

Blood and other body fluids have the potential to carry germs that can pose a public health threat. They can transmit hepatitis, HIV and many other diseases. Hospitals, medical and dental offices, laboratories, schools and laundry facilities are just a few of the locations that can occasionally get contaminated with blood and body fluids containing infectious germs. Without the proper use of antimicrobial pesticides, these areas could pose a risk of infection to workers and others. As such, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created the Blood Borne Pathogen Standard to protect workers in these environments.

In order to protect public health, the EPA requires any product claiming to control disease-causing pathogens to prove their effectiveness before they are registered with the EPA and placed on the market.

Here are some tips for selecting antimicrobial products for pathogens of blood and bodily fluids:

Check the product label for a list of pests (pathogens, germs) that the product may control. If your pest of concern is not on the label, the product may not be effective at controlling that pest.
Some states provide a service that allows you to search for products by the pest(s) they control. Try searching pesticide registrations in your state.
Know the local regulations about the types of antimicrobials that should be used in hospitals, day-care centers, food processing areas and other places where germs are a health threat. If you're not sure where to look for the regulations you need, call NPIC or your local health department.

Additional Resources:

Selecting an Appropriate Sanitizer - Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards
Cleaning up Body Fluids - Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards
Bloodborne Pathogens - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Selected EPA-registered Disinfectants - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Liquid Chemical Sterilant Products - Pesticide Regulation (PR) Notice 98-2 - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
FDA-Cleared Sterilants and High Level Disinfectants with General Claims for Processing Reusable Medical and Dental Devices - Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910) Frequently Asked Questions - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Standard Interpretations of BBPS (Letters) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Safety and Health in Health Care Facilities - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Disinfectants and Their Properties - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Laboratory Biosafety Manual - World Health Organization (WHO)
Sterilization & Disinfection in Healthcare Settings - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Preventing Pedicure Foot Spa Infections - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Healthy Swimming Recommendations for Appropriate Pool and Spa Disinfection - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Healthy Swimming - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Antimicrobials for Flu Viruses (H1N1, Avian, etc.)

Know What to Do About the Flu - Department of Health and Human Services
Antimicrobial Products Registered for Use Against the H1N1 Flu and Other Influenza A Viruses on Hard Surfaces - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Products Registered with Claims to Control Avian Flu - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
H1N1 Flu Clinical and Public Health Guidance - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Individual and Family Planning for Flu - Flu.gov (Information available in Spanish, Russian, Chinese and more)
Label Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides Used Against Avian Influenza A - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Disinfecting Poultry (and other) Facilities Against Avian (Bird) Flu - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Control of Pandemic Flu Virus on Environmental Surfaces in Homes and Public Places - Flu.gov
The Word is Out on Unapproved H1N1 Products - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Antimicrobials for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Community-Associated MRSA Information for the Public - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
MRSA Fact Sheet - North Carolina Department of Public Health
Healthcare-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Questions and Answers about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
EPA's Registered Products Effective Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecalis or faecium (VRE) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare Settings - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Management of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections - Federal Bureau of Prisons

Antimicrobials for Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile product labeling - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Overview of Clostridium difficile Infections - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Return to Antimicrobial Pesticides Main Page

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (7:30am-3:30pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Last updated June 27, 2011