Glossary of Terms
21-Day Human Irritancy Assay with Delayed Challenge
A standard patch test method used to determine the irritancy and allergic (sensitization) potential of a product applied to human skin.
Antibacterial
A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Antimicrobial
A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
Antiseptic
A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials
CHG Compatible
Products that have no inhibitory effect on the antimicrobial efficacy of products containing CHG (see Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)).
Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)
A topical antimicrobial active ingredient.
Chloroxylenol
A topical antimicrobial active ingredient. Also known as PCMX.
Glove Juice Technique
An in vivo technique used to enumerate microbial flora on the hands. (see In vivo).
Gram-negative bacteria
A primary characteristic of bacteria that possesses a thin cell wall. Used as a general classification of bacteria.
Gram-positive bacteria
A primary characteristic of bacteria that possesses a thick cell wall. Used as a general classification of bacteria.
Handwash Test
A standard test method developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that is designed to determine the ability of an antimicrobial handwashing agent to give reduction of transient microbial flora when used in a handwashing procedure (see In vivo).
Human Repeated Insult Patch Test
A repeated insult patch test procedure for determining irritancy and allergic potential of a product on the skin using human subjects.
In vitro
Latin term that means “in glass.” This term is used in reference to scientific tests that are conducted in glass beakers, Petri dishes, etc.
In vivo
Latin term that means “in a living body.” This term is used in reference to scientific tests that are conducted on humans.
Latex Compatible
Products that will not adversely affect the physical properties of latex gloves.
Log Kill
A measurement of the reduction in bacteria, virus, or fungi challenge numbers as measured in log base 10.
Petrolatum
Also known as petroleum jelly. A grade of hydrocarbon waxes known to be a skin moisturizer. At higher concentrations, this chemical can be used as a skin protectant.
pH Level
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Equal to 7 for neutral solutions and increasing with increased alkalinity, decreasing with increased acidity.
Retinyl Palmitate
Vitamin A.
Surgical Scrub Test
An in vivo procedure which measures the antimicrobial efficacy of a surgical scrub product against resident microbial skin flora (see In vivo).
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin E.
Triclosan
A topical antimicrobial active ingredient.