What category does bleach used in salon settings fall under after EPA regulation?

• A. A Sanitizer
• B. A Disinfectant
• C. An Antiseptic
• D. A Cosmetic

Answer: (B)

Bleach used in salon settings is a disinfectant. The EPA regulates products that destroy or inactivate disease-causing organisms on nonliving surfaces, and a properly diluted bleach solution is registered for that purpose—killing or inactivating a broad range of microorganisms on tools, countertops, and other nonporous surfaces when used according to the label. It isn’t an antiseptic, which is meant for living tissue, nor a cosmetic, which is for appearance or texture. It isn’t a sanitizer unless it’s specifically labeled for reducing microbial counts on surfaces to safe levels; in salon practice, the disinfection goal with bleach aligns with the disinfectant category.