[Stability and antimicrobial effectiveness of Javel water in a tropical hospital environment]

A sodium hypochlorite solution (NaClO) containing 0.5% w/v of available chlorine (0.5% Cl2 or 5000 ppm) is a good and cheap solution for disinfecting material used to medical care. It is effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is easy to prepare. It can be a good solution for antisepsis and disinfection in dispensaries in developing countries. However, it is not always easy to keep it in adequate conditions. That's the reason why we have evaluated the durability of such a solution of NaClO exposed to disadvantageous factors, specially daylight and air, and its antibacterial effectiveness. In this study, after exposure of NaClO containing 4350 ppm of available chlorine to these adverse conditions, the final concentration of NaClO was 2300 ppm of available chlorine and was found effective for decontamination of medical material. A protocol for conservation and use of a sodium hypochlorite solution (0.5% Cl2) in dispensaries of developing countries is proposed.