Chloramine-T is an:

Correct answers: (b) Disinfectant or (d) Antiseptic

Explanation

Chloramine-T (sodium tosylchloramide) releases active chlorine in water, which kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is used mainly as a disinfectant: for water, hospital surfaces and equipment, and in poultry and fish farming.

It has also been used on living tissue as an antiseptic: in the First World War, Henry Dakin introduced it for cleaning wounds.

• An analgesic relieves pain (aspirin, paracetamol).
• An antipyretic lowers fever (paracetamol).
• An antiseptic is safe on living tissue (Dettol, iodine tincture), while a disinfectant is used on non-living things.

The book's key is (b) disinfectant, its main use today. Chloramine-T has also been used on wounds as an antiseptic, so (d) is also accepted.