How long does it take for Cidex to achieve sterilization?

Cidex, which contains glutaraldehyde as its active ingredient, is a high-level disinfectant commonly used for sterilizing medical instruments. The process of sterilization with Cidex typically requires a contact time of at least 10 hours to ensure that it effectively kills all forms of microbial life, including spores. This extended exposure is necessary because glutaraldehyde requires sufficient time to penetrate and act on any potential contaminants present on the instruments, achieving a level of sterility suitable for use in invasive procedures.

In contrast, shorter exposure times might only achieve lower levels of disinfection, which may not be adequate for ensuring complete sterilization. Therefore, the correct duration for achieving sterilization with Cidex is indeed 10 hours, as this aligns with established health and safety guidelines for the use of chemical agents in sterilizing medical equipment.