What is referred to as substances used to destroy or suppress harmful pathogens on surfaces?

The term that describes substances specifically used to destroy or suppress harmful pathogens on surfaces is "antimicrobials." These are a broad category of agents that include antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal substances. Antimicrobials can effectively inhibit the growth or kill various microorganisms, making them essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of infections on surfaces in various settings, including healthcare and food service environments.

While other options like pesticides, virucides, and fungicides also target specific types of pathogens, they have more limited applications. Pesticides are primarily designed to eliminate pests, including insects and weeds, while virucides specifically target viruses, and fungicides are effective against fungal pathogens. Antimicrobials encompass all these categories and can be used more generally across different microbial threats, making them the correct choice for describing substances used on surfaces to achieve that goal.