Final answer:
Glutaraldehyde should never be used as an environmental disinfectant due to its toxic nature and specialized handling requirements, unlike hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide which are suitable for such purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disinfectant that should NEVER be used as an environmental disinfectant is glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is known for its high-level disinfection properties and is often used as a sterilant for medical equipment. However, due to its toxicity and the need for precise handling, it is not suitable for general environmental disinfection unlike other agents such as hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide. Hydrogen peroxide is widely recognized as a safe and effective household disinfectant that degrades into water and oxygen gas, making it environmentally friendly. Chlorine dioxide is another effective disinfectant and is often used for water purification.
Phenolics, including phenol itself, have a historical background in controlling microbial growth and have a long-acting disinfecting effect by denaturing proteins and disrupting membranes. They are often found in various applications including household cleaners and hospital disinfectants.