Final answer:
In a salon, professionals should choose an EPA-registered, broad-spectrum disinfectant that is environmentally friendly. The effectiveness of disinfectants has historically been compared to phenol, but current testing often involves surface swabbing in clinical settings. Antiseptics like povidone-iodine are used on tissues, and phenolics are stable disinfectants used in various settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a salon professional, you'll want to choose an approved EPA-registered disinfectant that is effective and broad-spectrum. The disinfectant you select should ideally be environmentally friendly and meet your operational needs for safety and efficacy. Disinfectants are categorized based on the types of microbes they're effective against. High-level germicides kill a wide range, including vegetative cells, fungi, viruses, and endospores, leading to sterilization. Intermediate-level germicides are less effective and can't kill all viruses or endospores, while low-level germicides are even less effective and typically only effective against vegetative cells and some enveloped viruses.
One historical method to determine the effectiveness of disinfectants is the phenol coefficient, which compares the effectiveness of a chemical agent to that of phenol. This test is not as commonly used today. Currently, one method of testing in clinical settings includes swabbing surfaces before and after disinfectant use to ensure a sterile environment is maintained.
The question regarding the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants historically being compared to phenol would receive the answer 'A. phenol.' Furthermore, antiseptics like povidone-iodine are suitable for use on tissues to prevent infection, while types of chemical disinfectants like phenolics are found in household cleaners and hospital disinfectants due to their stability and long-acting properties. It is also important to note that soaps are not classified as disinfectants and mercury-based compounds are now rarely used due to safety concerns.