QuestSpecialty Offers Microbial Identification Chart for Proper Disinfecting

BRENHAM, TX – Are you using the proper disinfectant for your facility?  Just because a disinfectant has an EPA registration, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will kill the microorganisms you are most concerned with eliminating. In order to properly disinfect a facility, it is imperative to know the bacteria, viruses, and fungi involved and to use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against those particular microorganisms.

The EPA registers a disinfectant based on tests which prove the product’s effectiveness on named viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Once effectiveness is verified for particular microorganisms, the manufacturer lists those organisms on the product’s label. Then, it is up to the user to determine if the disinfectant will address the disinfecting need, which is done by matching the listing on the disinfectant’s label with the particular microbe targeted for elimination.

However, matching the scientific names on the product label with the actual microorganism to be eliminated can be a challenge to those who do not hold a scientific degree.

To the rescue is QuestSpecialty’s free Microbial Identification Chart, which lists the most common scientific names for microbes found on disinfectant labels and their association with commonly known infections or the more commonly known names of the microorganisms.

For example, if you are concerned with the spread of pneumonia, you would need a disinfectant with Klebsiella pneumoniae listed on its label. A product that instead lists Canine parvovirus would not be helpful, as that virus is associated with CPV, a highly contagious viral illness affecting dogs.

“It is imperative to use the proper disinfectant to address a facility’s disinfecting needs; however, we noticed many facility managers had difficulty in properly matching the scientific name of a microorganism with the threat they wanted to address,” points out Alex Pratt, lead chemist for QuestSpecialty Corporation. “Many people will use a product that appears to have the most number of claims, thinking it will address any problem they may have.  However, that boils down to using guesswork to eliminate a particular microbial threat.  This chart helps eliminate the guesswork.”

The QuestSpecialty Microbial Identification Chart is available for free download at www.questspecialty.com.

About QuestSpecialty Corporation
QuestSpecialty Corporation, headquartered in Brenham, TX, is a trusted manufacturer of industrial specialty chemicals including aerosols, liquids, powders and wipes for use in sanitary supply, building maintenance, industrial specialties, foodservice and automotive industries. The company manufactures over 400 different products.

Featured

  • Colorado State University Global, SCTE Launch Online Certificate Program

    Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), based in Denver, Colo., recently announced a partnership with CableLabs subsidiary the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) to launch an online certificate training program for broadband professionals, according to a news release.

  • School Construction Projects Boom as Education Systems Address Aging Facilities and Growth

    Construction opportunities are almost always abundant, but currently there are more than usual construction projects being launched for public school campuses. Common objectives include major renovation or expansion of aging facilities, total replacement of inefficient classrooms, upgrades to lighting, technology, and security equipment, and adding new sports and cultural facilities.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • Texas K–12 District to Build New Elementary, High Schools

    The High Island Independent School District on the Bolivar Peninsula in Southeast Texas recently announced that construction on a new elementary school and a new high school will begin in January 2026, according to local news. Funding will come from a $27.9-million bond passed in May 2025.

Digital Edition