Final answer:
High-level germicides can kill a wide range of microbes, including endospores. Intermediate-level germicides are less effective, and low-level germicides only kill specific types of microbes. Alcohols, halogens, chlorine bleach, and quaternary ammonium compounds are examples of disinfectant categories that can be used to kill norovirus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical disinfectants are grouped into categories based on their effectiveness against various types of microbes and viruses. High-level germicides have the ability to kill vegetative cells, fungi, viruses, and endospores, providing sterilization. Intermediate-level germicides are less effective against endospores and certain viruses, while low-level germicides only kill vegetative cells and certain enveloped viruses, and not endospores.
Some of the commonly used disinfectant categories include:
- Alcohols: Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) denature proteins, inhibiting cell metabolism and causing cell lysis.
- Halogens: Iodine oxidizes cellular components necessary for microbe survival.
- Chlorine bleach: A chemical disinfectant effective against norovirus and other viruses.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds: Industrial-strength cleaners used as disinfectants.