Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about germs and antimicrobial products

What is a germ?
What is a microbe?
What is an antimicrobial?
How can you tell that antimicrobial products work?
What does disinfect mean?
What is a disinfectant?
Why do we need antimicrobial products and disinfectants?


What is a germ?
A germ is a microscopic organic organism or cell – generally considered to be capable of causing disease – from which a new organism may develop.

What is a microbe?
Microorganisms, also know as microbes or germs, are living cells so small that most can only be seen with a microscope. Many microbes are helpful, some are not.

What is an antimicrobial?
An antimicrobial, antimicrobial agent or antimicrobial product is one that is capable of surpressing the growth of microorganisms or germs. There are many types and names for these products that control microorganisms and provide many diverse benefits including: algicides, antifoulants, bactericides, bacteriostats, disinfectants, fungicides, fungistats, mildewcides, preservatives, sanitizers, slimicides, sterilants, and virucides.

How can you tell that antimicrobial products work?
Since bacteria, viruses and fungi cannot be seen with the naked eye, extensive testing requirements and government review assure the validity of product claims. Depending on their use, antimicrobial products are regulated by one or more federal agencies (see government controls).

What does disinfect mean?
Disinfect means to cleanse of harmful microorganisms.

What is a disinfectant?
A disinfectant is an agent that cleanses by inhibiting, neutralizing or destroying the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Why do we need antimicrobial products and disinfectants?
While not all microorganisms are bad some do create problems. Antimicrobial products satisfy many needs including preventing biological contamination of industrial equipment, paper products, and metal working fluids and preventing the build up of hydrogen sulfide in natural gas and crude oil.

The most common use of antimicrobial products is to disinfect. Disinfectant products are used to prevent the spread of infectious organisms such as viruses and bacteria that can cause illness and disease. Disinfectants, disinfectant cleaning products and sanitizers are used to kill disease carrying organisms in hospitals, restaurants, homes, schools and day