ALKYL DIMETHYL ETHYLBENZYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE; BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

Avirucide(alternatively spelledviricide) is any physical or chemical agent that deactivates or destroys viruses.The substances are not only virucidal but can be alsobactericidal,fungicidal,sporicidalortuberculocidal. Virucides are to be used outside the human body, and as such fall into the category ofdisinfectants(applied not to the human body) andantiseptics(applied to the surface of skin) for those safe enough.‍​‍‍‍​‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍​‍ Overall, the notion of virucide differs from anantiviral drugsuch asAciclovir, which inhibits the proliferation of the virus inside the body. CDC's Disinfection and Sterilization list ofChemical Disinfectantsmentions and discusses substances such as: alcohol, chlorine and chlorine compounds,formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, iodophors, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), peracetic acid, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, with different, but usually potentmicrobicidal activity.Other inactivating agents such asUV light, metals, and ozone exist.