When absorbing blood spills with paper towels, what direction should you pour the disinfectant?

Pouring the disinfectant from the outside inwards is the correct approach when cleaning up blood spills. This method helps to contain the spill and prevents it from spreading further, which is vital in a laboratory setting where contamination can pose serious health risks. By starting from the perimeter of the spill and working towards the center, you ensure that any pathogens are moved toward the area that is already saturated with disinfectant, effectively neutralizing them as you clean.

In contrast, other methods like pouring from the center outwards can inadvertently spread contaminants beyond the spill area, increasing the potential for exposure and cross-contamination. Pouring all at once in any direction lacks a strategic method for containing the spill and could lead to an uncontrolled spread of infectious materials. Similarly, pouring only from the top down does not optimize the disinfectant's effectiveness since it may not adequately cover the outer edges of the spill, which are critical to manage. Thus, the outside-in approach fosters a safer and more thorough cleaning process.