Which of the following lists the three common EPA-registered disinfectant categories used in salons?

• A. Quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium hypochlorite, and phenolic disinfectants.
• B. Alcohols, hydrogen peroxide, and aldehydes.
• C. Quats, alcohol, and peracetic acid.
• D. Bleach, chlorine dioxide, and iodophors.

Answer: (A)

Disinfection in salons relies on products from three EPA-registered chemical families that are widely used for everyday surfaces and tools. Quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, are popular because they provide broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi and are generally safe on most salon surfaces. They’re easy to use, often come as ready-to-use sprays or concentrates, and don’t leave strong odors, but they don’t kill spores and must be used at the labeled concentration and contact time. Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in bleach, offers powerful, broad-spectrum disinfection at a low cost and is great for larger surfaces and certain spa-like settings, but it can corrode metals and fabrics and can be inactivated by organic matter, so surfaces should be pre-cleaned and the solution prepared correctly. Phenolics are strong disinfectants that work well on many surface types and can provide reliable disinfection, but they can be toxic to skin and mucous membranes and may leave residues; they must be used only on surfaces labeled for phenolics. Together, these three categories cover the common, EPA-approved options most salons rely on for routine disinfection. Other agents (like some alcohols, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide, or iodophors) exist and are used in certain contexts, but they’re not the standard trio most salons depend on for everyday disinfection.