Evaluation of disinfectant products for microbial decontamination of imported used footwear

Abstract

Fourteen disinfectants were tested in vitro for activity against soil bacteria and fungi attached to a boot worn in New Zealand and then eight were further evaluated on three types of fieldworn footwear From in vitro tests sodium hypochlorite (Janola) calcium hypochlorite (HazTab) and a quaternary ammonium product (Trimove) gave almost complete kill of bacteria Four disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite phenols (Prephen) hypochlorous acid plus hypobromous acid (Nylate) and calcium hypochlorite) also gave complete kill of fungi Field tests showed that five disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite calcium hypochlorite formaldehyde hypochlorous acid plus hypobromous acid and the quaternary ammonium product) were as effective as dipotassium peroxodisulphate (Virkon a standard biosecurity treatment for disinfecting footwear) Sodium hypochlorite was found to be significantly more effective than dipotassium peroxodisulphate for disinfecting shoes of soil fungi The disinfectants caused no visible changes in colour or damage to footwear materials