How Do Disinfectants Work Against Covid-19 Virus?
10 May 2021As more countries obtain their needed supply of vaccines, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is definitely starting to slow down. However, authorities are still urging everyone to follow health protocols to ensure that the overall cases will not soar again. Proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces are likewise recommended to prevent COVID-19 microbes from hanging around.
Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, especially those that are frequently touched by people, have been very helpful in minimising the risks of exposure to the said virus. And through proper disinfectants, the COVID-19 virus can be eradicated so it cannot harm people anymore.
But how do various disinfectants truly work against the virus?
Countering the COVID-19 Virus with Disinfectants
A lot of reputable companies have been manufacturing and producing different types of disinfectants for various viruses and microorganisms for a long time now. These products could even kill most strains of viruses. But with the spread of COVID-19 last year, these companies have to ensure that their products would still work against the new strain of coronavirus. And fortunately, some of their products are effective in killing almost all the strains of COVID-19.
The working principles of disinfectants against the COVID-19 virus are fairly simple. Given that the viral genome of the COVID-19 is only surrounded by a lipid membrane, then it means that it can be easily penetrated by the disinfectant. Disinfectants can easily disrupt and destroy the lipid membrane, which would help stop the COVID-19 from latching on to host cells. With around two minutes of exposure time, disinfectants that have concentrations of 70 to 80% alcohol can effectively deactivate the virus.
Aside from alcohol-based disinfectants, products that boast quaternary ammonium compounds can also attack the lipid membrane and structure of the COVID-19. Disinfectants such as bleach and other potent oxidisers can easily destroy the essential components of this specific virus.
Tips and Guidelines when Using Disinfectants
While disinfectants can generally help in minimising the spread of COVID-19 to a specific place or property, they must still be used safely to avoid causing other health issues. Remember, the majority of them can still be toxic to humans once they are touched, inhaled, and consumed.
One tip to remember when using disinfectants is to wear the right type of protection. Rubber gloves and eye protection are recommended when using toxic disinfectants to avoid skin and eye contact. And once they are being utilised, the windows and exhaust fans need to be opened and turned on, respectively. Doing these things can help dissipate toxic fumes away from the property.
Another tip to remember when using disinfectants is to avoid mixing them with other chemicals. Some disinfectants cannot be mixed with other chemicals as they might trigger dangerous reactions and emit toxic gases that can be lethal to the people around. Diluting bleach with water, however, must be done to ensure that the former’s toxicity level will be decreased. Overusing disinfectants must also be avoided to prevent generating other health issues that are not related to COVID-19.
For proper disinfection of your properties, feel free to reach us at Ausbright Facilities Management.
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