Question

Why are heat and alcohol used to disinfect medical equipment?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation: In medicine, a combination of ethanol or rubbingalcohol and heat can be used to sterilize medical instruments by killing bacteria, viruses and fungi. This occurs through a process known as protein denaturation.

Answer 2

The heat and alcohol are used to disinfect medical equipment because:

• Chemicals such as Glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, ortho-phthalaldehyde etc are used for disinfecting medical equipment and biological instruments before using in medical examination.
• Ethanol is the most common disinfectant and is highly effective. 70% of alcohol is very effective in the disinfection of substances.
• Ethanol is also used in hand sanitiser and is highly recommended during the covid time.
• Ethanol should not be used to sterilise medical equipment.