Which element is critical to the disinfection process when using ethyl alcohol?

The concentration of ethyl alcohol is critical to the disinfection process because it directly affects the efficacy of the solution in killing pathogens. For a disinfectant to be effective, it must be at an appropriate concentration that allows it to penetrate microbial cell walls and denature proteins. Typically, a concentration of 60% to 70% ethyl alcohol is recommended for effective disinfection, as this range balances the ability to disrupt cell structures and prolongs the contact time needed for successful microbial inactivation.

Factors such as temperature, volume, and time can influence the overall effectiveness of the disinfection process, but the concentration of the alcohol remains a primary factor since it determines the chemical's ability to act on the microbes present. Concentration ensures that a sufficient number of active molecules are available to disrupt the cellular processes and structures necessary to eliminate pathogens effectively.