PDI Safety Station

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?

  Cleaning removes dirt, debris, and some germs from surfaces. It does not kill microorganisms but reduces their numbers by physically removing them.

  Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a surface to a safe level as defined by public health standards. Sanitizers are typically used on food-contact surfaces and must be registered by the EPA for that purpose.

  Disinfecting goes a step further by using EPA-registered products to kill a wide range of microorganisms on hard, non-porous surfaces when used according to label directions. Disinfectants are essential in healthcare and other high-risk environments where infection prevention is critical.
  PDI’s surface disinfection brand products are EPA-registered disinfectants, designed to kill a broad spectrum of clinically relevant microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and (in the case of sporicidal products) spores. While they can also be used for cleaning, they are not registered as food-contact sanitizers. This means that when used on food-contact surfaces, a potable water rinse is required after disinfection.

• What is a Master Label, and what information does it include?

  A Master Label is the EPA-approved document that defines the approved uses, claims, and safety requirements for a disinfectant product. It provides the complete framework for how the product can be marketed and used in healthcare and other environments.

  A Master Label includes key information such as: company name and address; the EPA Registration and Establishment Numbers; approved efficacy claims; toxicity classification; directions for use; required contact times; storage and disposal instructions; first aid and precautionary statements; and any marketing claims reviewed by the EPA.

  To review a product’s Master Label, visit the EPA Master Label Lookup Tool [https://ordspub.epa.gov/ords/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:1] and search by EPA Registration Number.

• Can PDI Germicidal Wipes be used on toys?

  Yes. PDI’s EPA-registered surface disinfectant products—including Super Sani-Cloth^®, Sani-Cloth AF3, Sani-Cloth Bleach, Sani-Cloth Plus, Sani-Cloth Prime, Sani-HP1™, and Sani-HyPerCide^® brands—are approved and labeled for use on hard, non-porous toys. They clean and disinfect in a one-step process unless the toy is visibly soiled. After disinfection, toys should always be rinsed thoroughly with potable water (tap water) and allowed to air dry.

  This rinse step is not unique to PDI—it is required for all EPA-registered surface disinfectants when used on toys or items that may be mouthed, since disinfectants are not registered as food-contact surface sanitizers. Without the rinse, chemical residues could remain on items that children may put in their mouths.

  According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), recommended best practice is: “Toys should be cleaned/disinfected between patients, especially those that are visibly soiled, mouthed, or used by patients in isolation. Toys should be washed thoroughly; disinfected with a non-toxic, low-level disinfectant; and air dried completely.”

  Infection prevention experts also recommend only using washable toys for sharing. Stuffed animals and toys that cannot be cleaned and disinfected should not be shared.

  SOURCE: APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Chapter 39, p. 14-15, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, 2011. www.apic.org

• Do you have any products effective against SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19)?

  Yes. The CDC directs users to EPA List N, which identifies EPA-registered disinfectants that meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2. According to the EPA, products on List N are expected to kill all strains and variants of the virus when used according to label directions.

  All PDI surface disinfectant wipes are included on List N and are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

  This includes:

  • Sani-HP1™ Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Sani-HyPerCide^® Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Sani-Cloth Prime Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Sani-Cloth Bleach Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Sani-Cloth AF3 Germicidal Disposable Wipes
  • Sani-Cloth Plus Germicidal Disposable Wipes

  For the most current information, you can verify PDI products directly on the EPA List N using the EPA registration numbers found on each product label. [https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus-and-disinfectants/list-n-advanced-search-page-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19]

• What is contact time and what happens if the surface dries before the stated contact time on a Sani-Cloth® product label?

  The contact time listed on the product label is the total amount of time that it takes to inactivate ALL of the microorganisms listed on the product label. This time is typically referred to in minutes, and should be communicated to staff members that are utilizing the disinfectant.

  Per EPA guidance, treated surfaces must remain visibly wet for the full stated contact time in order to achieve the efficacy claims on the label. If a surface dries too quickly, additional wipes may be needed to keep the surface wet. The overall contact time itself does not change.

  Surfaces may sometimes dry before the stated contact time due to factors such as airflow and ventilation, temperature, humidity, or the material/porosity of the surface. This is not uncommon in healthcare environments, which often have high air exchanges and low relative humidity.

  While the EPA requires that treated environmental surfaces remain wet for the full contact time, some leading researchers in infection prevention have offered an alternate view. In a commentary published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (March 2018, vol. 39, no. 3, pp 229–231), Dr. W.A. Rutala and Dr. D.J. Weber suggested that contact time and treatment time are mutually exclusive, and that treatment time — regardless of visible wetness — may be sufficient for wipes (except bleach products). PDI continues to monitor this research closely and will provide customers with the latest information as regulations permit.

• Which products are compatible with my equipment?

  Our products are designed to be compatible. Extensive work has been performed on materials and equipment to confirm compatibility. For information on Compatible by Design™, our comprehensive program and resources for improving healthcare equipment compatibility, review our “PDI Material Compatibility Reference Guide”, our resources, and use our Equipment Compatibility Tool to learn more!

  Please refer to the surface or equipment manufacturer’s guidelines for approved disinfecting instructions and contact your local PDI representative or Customer Care with any additional questions..