Disinfectants in Nursing Homes Are Harming Older Adults

The disinfectants used to "protect" elderly people in assisted living facilities may actually be harming them. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are everywhere in nursing homes, and older adults are soaking in the exposure.

What the Study Found

A 2026 study on QAC exposure in assisted living facilities found that older adults living in these facilities are exposed to high levels of quaternary ammonium compound disinfectants. QACs are in surface cleaners, hand sanitizers, laundry products, and air fresheners used throughout the facility.

QACs are linked to respiratory irritation, skin sensitization, and reproductive toxicity. In animal studies, they've been shown to impair fertility and affect immune function. Older adults with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.

The Post-Pandemic Disinfectant Problem

QAC use skyrocketed during COVID-19 and never went back down. Facilities spray, wipe, and fog these chemicals multiple times a day. Residents breathe them in, absorb them through skin, and ingest them on surfaces they touch.

What You Can Do

If you have a loved one in assisted living, ask about their cleaning products. Advocate for non-toxic alternatives. At home, use simple cleaning solutions like vinegar and soap instead of QAC-based disinfectants.

Browse our non-toxic home essentials for safer cleaning products.

Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.

Source: QAC Exposure in Assisted Living Study (2026).