In the midst of the pandemic, there is not another product category that has increased in demand more than disinfectants. Available in liquid presentations, sprays, aerosols, and even wipes, disinfectants are versatile and convenient because they allow anyone to have a clean space in just a few seconds.
One thing is certain, however, and it’s the fact that convenience usually comes at a price, and If consumers are not careful, they might use disinfectants that are wrong for the type of surface they want to clean and the type of contaminants they want to eliminate (like the coronavirus). Another possibility is that they may end up using products that will cause harmful side effects to them in the future. Whatever the situation, the main point is that people need to make sure they are using the right disinfectant to kill bacteria and viruses like COVID-19.
Do you Know How Effective your Disinfectant Is?
Disinfectant products come with different effectiveness levels, depending on several factors such as chemical ingredients, concentration, antimicrobial properties, and more. Many of these products contain single ingredients, like alcohols or chlorine, but others are made of combinations, such as hydrogen peroxide.
When using a disinfectant for the first time, consumers must carefully read its label to get all the information there is to know about ingredients, warnings, correct application, effectiveness, and possible side effects.
In Canada, one clear indicator that a disinfecting product is effective is seeing it on the official list of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19. This list, created and frequently updated by the federal government, and includes all disinfectants that are approved for sale in Canada and that are “supported by evidence following drug review, demonstrating that they are likely to be effective and may be used against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.”
What’s interesting about the list is that Health Canada says that all products on it “are expected to be effective against all strains of SARS-CoV-2, as genetic changes to the virus are unlikely to impact the efficacy of disinfectants.” The reason given for this is that “coronaviruses are enveloped viruses. This means they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant when used according to the label directions.”
One of the disinfectants that have been on the list since day one is our Ultra-Lyte thanks to its powerful antimicrobial properties and effectivity against pathogens such as the Human Coronavirus, Norovirus, Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Influenza A (H1N1).
Ultra-Lyte is a spray-on sanitizer and disinfectant that can be sprayed and left on the surfaces to dwell for best results, according to the product’s label. It is recommended for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and spaces in hospitals, nursing homes, medical facilities, commercial, institutional and industrial settings, as well as meat and poultry plants. Additionally, it can be used on food contact surfaces such as counters and tables and to pre-clean or decontaminate critical or semi-critical medical devices prior to sterilization.
The reason why Ultra-Lyte is so effective is because of its active ingredient, hypochlorous acid (HOCI), which is FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States) certified. This compound, considered as “nature’s oldest disinfectant, is nontoxic to surfaces and noncorrosive since it is the same substance that white blood cells produce to fight off infections. Plus, it is more effective than bleach, but without harmful chemicals and fumes.
Do you Know What Long-Term Effects your Disinfectant Might Have on Your Health?
Many of the disinfectants on the market right now depend on harsh chemicals and corrosive ingredients for their effectiveness. And while they do deliver the expected results, they can also cause some undesired effects on the health of people exposed to them. For instance, some germicides are so strong that they might trigger asthma attacks and contribute to reactive airway diseases on people if they fail to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling these substances.
The most common health symptoms experienced by people that have been in contact with chemical disinfectants without taking precautions or applying the product as indicated on the label are respiratory irritation, breathing difficulties, damages to the respiratory tract, severe skin burns, and eye damage. Some chemicals can even be fatal if inhaled.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives in the market that are all-natural, hypoallergenic, and safe to use around people, pets, and plants, such as Ultra-Lyte and Environize Anolyte. Both of these disinfectants are safe to use without the need for PPE and are environmentally friendly.
Environize Anolyte is only available in Canada, where it is known for its effectiveness at killing 99.99% of bacteria such as MRSA, salmonella, and pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can also be used against viruses, germs, and a broad spectrum of harmful pathogens. The product is made from clinically proven technology that is 100 times more effective than bleach.
Environize Anolyte Disinfectant is made with natural ingredients and considered an environmentally conscious product. It is recommended for treating hard non-porous surfaces in institutional and janitorial applications including fitness, gyms, golf carts, transit vehicles, kitchens, bathrooms, tables, furniture, floor, pool decks, and more.
Are you Disinfecting Effectively?
There are no ways around it, the best way to ensure effective disinfection from any product and avoid any side effects is using it exactly like indicated on the label. According to the CDC, this means selecting the appropriate disinfectant based on the type of surface to be disinfected and following manufacturers’ instructions and product label directions for safe, effective use.
Additionally, the CDC recommends using the proper concentration and application method, making sure to follow the required contact time following application, using PPE to prevent inhalation of the product and contact with body parts, and not mixing disinfectants with cleaners, other disinfectants, or other chemicals.
What do you think of this topic? Are you using the right disinfectant to kill bacteria and viruses like COVID-19? Are you using these products properly? We hope you follow these recommendations, and from now on make sure to use the right disinfectant for your particular needs.
Source: https://www.disinfectandfog.com/blog/are-you-using-the-right-disinfectant-to-kill-covid-19