Be Careful with the Disinfectant Products You Use to Combat Coronavirus

Safety Precautions When Using Disinfectants At Home

To keep their homes safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are following Recommendation of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Using EPA registered disinfectants to protect the household environment from the outbreak of contagion.

See here for one List of EPA approved products for use against SARS-CoV-2.

Disinfectant products can be dangerous if handled improperly

While these disinfectants are effective germicides, if improperly used they also pose a risk to people’s health. While we don’t want to discourage people from using disinfectants, especially while the COVID-19 outbreak continues, consumers should ensure that disinfectants are used handled with proper precaution.

Disinfectants often contain ethanol, formaldehyde, chlorine and ammonia, all of which can cause serious harm to people and pets if they are touched, swallowed or inhaled. Some detergents can even be flammable or corrosive. Fortunately, you can limit your risk Keep the following tips from the U.S. Department of Health (HHS) in mind:

7 safety tips for using disinfectants

1) The most important information for consumers when using cleaning agents and disinfectants is: Read and follow the directions on the container label.

2) All containers should be properly closed and stored either in their original container or in a container appropriate for their hazard class.

3) Different cleaning solutions should never be mixed, even if they are similar “types” of chemicals.

4) The fumes of many disinfectants are harmful to your lungs. The properties that allow these products to kill microbes are also harmful to your respiratory system. Inhaling these bleach fumes sparingly does not cause noticeable damage.

5) To limit your exposure, keep your windows open and use a fan to circulate the air in your home whenever possible.

6) As detergents containing disinfectant chemicals can be extremely dangerous, it is important to keep cleaning products in a safe place and out of the sight and reach of children.

7) Some disinfectants contain chemicals that can be harmful to a person’s skin. It is therefore imperative that you wear protective clothing when cleaning with these products. Common chemicals in disinfectants are ammonia and sodium hypochlorite, both corrosive substances that eat away at surfaces they come into contact with.

Conclusion

Disinfectants are one of the most effective tools we have at our disposal in combating the spread of COVID-19. However, it is important to observe certain safety precautions when disinfecting our household environment.

Swell:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/cleaning-tips#1

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem