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Disinfection is the process of applying a substance to inanimate objects to kill microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This is distinct from antiseptics, which are applied to living tissue. The goal of disinfection is to prevent the spread of disease by eliminating harmful pathogens.123

Common methods of disinfection include using chemical agents like chlorine for water treatment or alcohols and other compounds for surfaces and instruments. Hand sanitizers, often containing alcohol, are used when soap and water are unavailable to remove pathogens from hands. While disinfectants kill more germs than sanitizers, both are chemical agents that work by killing germs, unlike simple cleaning which removes them.31456

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