Why are buffers used in sanitation chemicals?

Buffers are compounds that help maintain a stable pH in a solution, even when acids or bases are added. In the context of sanitation chemicals, maintaining a consistent pH is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of the disinfecting agents. Many sanitizers require a specific pH range to function optimally. When concentrated sanitation chemicals are diluted, the addition of a buffer helps prevent significant pH changes, ensuring that the active ingredients remain effective against microbes and pathogens.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of buffers in sanitation chemicals. For instance, improving color or scent may be desirable in some products but does not relate to the functionality of buffers. Similarly, increasing viscosity is not a purpose of buffers; it refers more to the thickness of a solution rather than its pH stability. Thus, the use of buffers is primarily about stabilizing pH, making Option B the correct choice.