Chemicals used as disinfectants: active ingredients and enhancing additives.

Active ingredients used in microbiocidal products in the European Union constitute some 250 chemical entities. Approximately 100 of these chemicals are commonly used in disinfectant products. The majority of these substances may be classified into distinct chemical groupings. A brief review of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of each group is given, together with some indications of additives which may be used to enhance their properties, and factors which may detract from them. Some indications of usage areas are given.