Which statement about disinfection is accurate?

• A. It kills most but not all microorganisms on non-living surfaces
• B. It sterilizes all living tissues
• C. It only reduces odor
• D. It disinfects skin

Answer: (A)

Disinfection refers to reducing or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces to a safe level. The statement is best because it captures that disinfection targets non-living surfaces and aims to kill most microorganisms, though it does not guarantee complete elimination of all organisms or spores. Sterilization would remove all life, including spores, and is more stringent than disinfection and not what disinfection achieves. Odor reduction is not the goal of disinfection, and skin isn’t treated with surface disinfectants—skin requires antiseptics. In salon practice, you clean a surface first to remove debris, then use an EPA-registered disinfectant on non-porous surfaces to kill microbes; antiseptics are used for skin, not surface disinfection.