Editing Hydrogen peroxide (section)

===Disinfectant===
Hydrogen peroxide may be used for the sterilization of various surfaces,<ref name="ascenzi">{{cite book| veditors = Ascenzi JM |title=Handbook of disinfectants and antiseptics|date=1996|publisher=M. Dekker|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8247-9524-5|page=161}}</ref> including surgical instruments,<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = Rutala WA, Weber DJ |title = Disinfection and sterilization in health care facilities: what clinicians need to know |journal = Clinical Infectious Diseases |volume = 39 |issue = 5 |pages = 702–9 |date = September 2004 |pmid = 15356786 |doi = 10.1086/423182 |doi-access = free}}</ref> and may be deployed as a vapour ([[Vaporized hydrogen peroxide|VHP]]) for room sterilization.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = Falagas ME, Thomaidis PC, Kotsantis IK, Sgouros K, Samonis G, Karageorgopoulos DE |title = Airborne hydrogen peroxide for disinfection of the hospital environment and infection control: a systematic review |journal = The Journal of Hospital Infection |volume = 78 |issue = 3 |pages = 171–7 |date = July 2011 |pmid = 21392848 |doi = 10.1016/j.jhin.2010.12.006}}</ref> {{chem2|H2O2}} demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and bacterial spores.<ref>{{cite book| veditors = Block SS |title=Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation|date=2000|publisher=Lea & Febiger|location=Philadelphia|isbn=978-0-683-30740-5|pages=185–204|edition=5th|chapter=Chapter 9: Peroxygen compounds}}</ref><ref name="cdc_sporicidal">{{cite web |title=Chemical Disinfectants — Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines — Guidelines Library — Infection Control — CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html#Hydrogen |website=www.cdc.gov |access-date=12 April 2020 |language=en-us |date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701211440/https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html#Hydrogen |url-status=live}}</ref> In general, greater activity is seen against [[Gram-positive]] than [[Gram-negative]] bacteria; however, the presence of [[catalase]] or other [[peroxidase]]s in these organisms may increase tolerance in the presence of lower concentrations.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = McDonnell G, Russell AD |title = Antiseptics and disinfectants: activity, action, and resistance |journal = Clinical Microbiology Reviews |volume = 12 |issue = 1 |pages = 147–179 |date = January 1999 |pmid = 9880479 |pmc = 88911 |doi = 10.1128/cmr.12.1.147}}</ref> Lower levels of concentration (3%) will work against most spores; higher concentrations (7 to 30%) and longer contact times will improve sporicidal activity.<ref name="cdc_sporicidal"/><ref>{{cite book| veditors = Block SS |title= Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation|date=2000|publisher=Lea & Febiger|location=Philadelphia|isbn=978-0-683-30740-5|pages=529–543|edition=5th|chapter=Chapter 27: Chemical Sporicidal and Sporostatic Agents}}</ref>

Hydrogen peroxide is seen as an environmentally safe alternative to [[chlorine]]-based bleaches, as it degrades to form oxygen and water and it is [[generally recognized as safe]] as an [[antimicrobial agent]] by the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA).<ref>{{cite web|title=Sec. 184.1366 Hydrogen peroxide |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access |url=https://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/04nov20031500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2001/aprqtr/21cfr184.1366.htm |date=1 April 2001 |access-date=7 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703092508/https://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/04nov20031500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2001/aprqtr/21cfr184.1366.htm |archive-date=3 July 2007}}</ref>