Terminology Issues in the Science of Disinfectology: Causes and Solutions

Terms determine the scope, direction, and structure of any science, and it is extremely important to interpret them unambiguously. The terminology in the field of modern disinfection science dates back to the mid-20^th century. Currently, there are issues with understanding certain definitions.

Discussion of current terminological issues in modern disinfection science in terms of their causes and search for solutions, taking into account the knowledge accumulated by previous generations and the current challenges facing this important scientific discipline.

The article deals with key terms such as ‘disinfectology’, ‘disinfection’, ‘disinfection activities’, ‘disinfection measures’, etc., and their various interpretations in state standards, regulation and guidelines, literature sources, reasons for inconsistency with contemporary scientific knowledge. The article discusses the understanding of disinfection science as an integrative science in the field of non-specific prevention of infectious diseases, an important branch of epidemiology and hygiene from the perspective of the safety of means and methods of disinfection, pest control, and rodent control, and their possible adverse effects on living conditions, human health, and the environment. The article presents a working definition of disinfection science and the possible principles of its terminology at the current stage.

Сontribution:
Zakharova Yu.A. — responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article, writing the text, and approval of the final version of the article;
Kanishchev V.V. — writing the text and editing;
Akimkin V.G. — writing the text and editing.
All co-authors approve and are responsible for the final version of the article.

Funding. This study was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.

Received: 07.07.2025 / Accepted: 20.08.2025 / Published: 10.09.2025

1. Vashkov V.I. Manual on Disinfection, Disinsection and Deratization [Rukovodstvo po dezinfektsii, dezinsektsii i deratizatsii]. Moscow; 1952. (In Russ.)

2. Vashkov V.I. Antimicrobial agents and disinfection methods for infectious diseases. Moscow; 1977. (In Russ.)

3. Ozhegov S.I., Shvedova N.Yu. Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language. Moscow; 1992. (In Russ.)

4. Krasil'nikov A.P. Handbook of antiseptics. Minsk; 1995. (In Russ.)

5. Oparin P.S. Disinfection at the present stage. Irkutsk; 2003. (In Russ.)

6. Shkarin V.V. Failed discussion about the science of disinfectology. Epidemiologiya i infektsionnye bolezni. Aktual'nye voprosy. 2014; (1): 55–60. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/rymgjb

7. Shandala M.G. Methodological problems of modern disinfection. Poliklinika. 2003; (4): 2–14. (In Russ.)

8. Shandala M.G. From the Central Disinfection Bureau to Disinfectology Scientific Research Institute: 70 years of creative work. Dezinfektsionnoe delo. 2003; (4): 14–21. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/kjwayj

9. Akimkin V.G., Shandala M.G., Sokolova N.F., Frolova A.M. Postgraduate professional education of specialists engaged in disinfection activities at the Department of disinfection medicine of the First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University. Infektsionnye bolezni. 2011; 9(S1): 12–3. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/xnczhv (In Russ.)

10. Demina Yu.V., ed. Fundamentals of disinfection and organization of disinfection measures. Moscow; 2024. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ddhcxj (In Russ.)

11. Shandala M.G. Disinfection as the forerunner of future denoxology. Hygiene and sanitation. 2005; (5): 8–13. (In Russ.)

12. Shandala M.G. Disinfection as a subject of differentiation of hygienic science. Hygiene and sanitation. 2011; (6): 4–7. (In Russ.)

13. Kuz'min S.V., ed. With the shield of Russian disinfection. Ekaterinburg; 2023. (In Russ.)

14. Kanishchev V.V., Oparin P.S. On the issue of disinfection terminology. In: Oparin P.S. Disinfection at the present stage. Irkutsk; 2003. (In Russ.)