Ultra Clorox® Germicidal Bleach obtains first EPA Registration for Disinfection Against C. diff Spores

Clorox Commercial Solutions® Ultra Clorox® Germicidal Bleach is the first product to obtain federal EPA registration for killing Clostridium difficile spores on hard, non porous surfaces when used as directed.

C. diff causes a wide variety of symptoms, from diarrhea to more serious life threatening intestinal disease. A recent study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) found that C. diff infection rates are 6.5 to 20 times higher than previous estimates. Based on the results of the study it was estimated that the associated cost of C. diff infections to American healthcare institutions is $17.6 to $51.5 million each day.

C. diff may occur in two forms—vegetative and spore. Although the vegetative cells die rapidly on surfaces and are relatively easy to kill with disinfecting products, C. diff spores can persist in the environment for many months and are highly resistant to many disinfecting formulations. Because C. diff patients can contaminate their environment and the spores can persist on surfaces for months, adherence to the CDC "Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities" is critical to help reduce the spread of C. diff spores.

After completing a rigorous review process, Clorox Commercial Solutions® Ultra Clorox® Germicidal Bleach is the first EPA registered product approved against spores of C. diff. This disinfectant is registered for use in all 50 states.

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What is on that keyboard? Detecting hidden environmental reservoirs of Clostridium difficile during an outbreak associated with North American pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type 1 strains.

Dumford DM et al. Am J Infect Control. 2009 Feb;37(1):15-9.
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Quantitative detection of Clostridium difficile in hospital environmental samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

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Reduction of Clostridium Difficile and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus contamination of environmental surfaces after an intervention to improve cleaning methods.

Eckstein BC et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2007 Jun 21;7:61.
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Prevalence of Clostridium difficile environmental contamination and strain variability in multiple health care facilities.

Dubberke ER et al, Am J Infect Control. 2007 Jun;35(5):315-8.
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1Association for Professionals in Infection Control, "Intestinal Infection Afflicts 13 of 1,000 Hospital Patients; Infection Rates 6.5–20 Times Greater Than Previous Estimates, New Study Says", Novemeber 11, 2008.