Bleach dilution for bloodborne pathogen decontamination

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

July 28, 1992

Mr. James C. Cokendolpher
Texas Tech University
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Cokendolpher:

This is in response to your letter of April 22, in which you requested clarification concerning the use of appropriate disinfectants as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030, "Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens". Your question specifically relates to the use of sodium hypochlorite solutions (bleach) for disinfection of environmental surfaces. We apologize for the delay in this response.

You correctly note in your letter that OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.44C, "Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard", states that disinfectant products registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as tuberculocidal are considered "appropriate" for the cleanup of a contaminated item or surface. OSHA recognizes that, although generic sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) solutions are not registered as such, they are generally recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for disinfection of environmental surfaces.

In response to your request that OSHA clarify its position, we confirm that, in accordance with the recommendations of the CDC, solutions of 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite diluted between 1:10 and 1:100 with water are also acceptable for disinfection of environmental surfaces and for decontamination of sites following initial cleanup (i.e., wiping up) of spills of blood or other potentially infectious materials. A similar clarifying statement will be included in a subsequent change to OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.44C.

We hope this information is responsive to your concerns. Thank you for your interest in worker safety and health.

Sincerely,
Patricia K. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs