The COVID-19 pandemic may be the most significant public health crisis to hit the world in the last 100 years, and schools, seemingly at the forefront of many of the conversations concerning a return to normal in regards to pubic health and occupant safety, have several questions about how to deal with the challenges that lay ahead.
Questions and Answers Regarding Coronavirus Concerns
Maintaining high standards of health and wellness in schools has been a constant struggle over the years, especially during the onset of cold and flu season.
Now, facing the additional challenges of protecting staff and students from the SARS-CoV-2 public health emergency, many school administrators have questions regarding the best methods of ensuring occupant health and safety, ranging from:
- The use and efficacy of no-touch unmanned disinfection methods.
- The truth behind claims regarding anti-microbial residual efficacy against viruses, and;
- How often should a facility be cleaned.
Do foggers work against COVID-19?
Yes, depending on the disinfectant product and the type of fogging.
First, only disinfectants registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and listed on the EPAs page List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) are considered effective against SARS-CoV-2.
Second, surfaces must be precleaned with a soap-based detergent prior to applying any disinfectant product, regardless of the application methods, including foggers.
Third, to be effective, foggers require a room to be emptied and sealed off for a specific amount of time to allow the application to settle and kill surface bacteria and pathogens, then an additional period of aeration prior to safe reentry.
Finally, the method of fogger application must be taken into consideration, as not all methods are effective, and some methods are extremely dangerous to occupant health.
- Chemical Fogging - Uses a portable or stationary system to mist disinfectant across surfaces throughout a facility and can be considered effective against SARS-CoV-2 if the disinfectant product is registered with the EPA.
- Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) - Hydrogen Peroxide is present on the EPAs List N. The process takes longer than chemical fogging and requires the sealed space to be dehumidified prior to application.
- Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂) Treatment - Chlorine Dioxide is also present on the EPAs List N. However, the process requires strict temperature and humidity controls in the sealed space, and carries the inherent dangers of handling chlorine gas, though the residue is considered harmless.
- Ionization - Though touted as highly effective against airborne microbes, the process has not been registered with the EPAs List N, and should be avoided.
Is ultraviolet light an effective disinfectant?
Ultraviolet lights have been effectively employed across multiple industries to facilitate unattended surface disinfection against a wide range of pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-1 virus.
UVC radiation has been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-Coronavirus, which is a different virus from the current SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The destruction ultimately leads to the inactivation of the virus.
UVC radiation may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
However, currently, there is limited published data about the wavelength, dose, and duration of UVC radiation required to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
UV Lights and Lamps: Ultraviolet-C Radiation, Disinfection, and Coronavirus
UV lighting as a surface disinfectant has several limitations and hazards.
- Only pathogens directly exposed to the UV light are inactivated, potentially leaving large swaths of contaminated surfaces to contend with.
- Consumer and commercial grade UVC lighting is rated at different doses--the lower the dose, the longer it takes to disinfect a surface, and;
- UVC lighting can cause injury to humans, damage surfaces, emit ozone that is harmful to inhale, and may contain mercury.
Officially, the ability of UVC lighting to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 is unknown due to a lack of published research, meaning it should not be relied upon as a primary means of surface disinfection to prevent, remove, or combat the virus.
Do residual antimicrobial products work?
The official answer to this question is no.
There is no disinfectant product registered with the EPA that may make the claim of residual efficacy against viruses--only bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew.
However;
In a first-of-its-kind step, EPA has issued an emergency exemption to the state of Texas permitting it to allow American Airlines and Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine to use a new product that kills coronavirus like the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces for up to seven days.
After carefully reviewing the available data and information, the agency has determined that the product helps to address the current national emergency.
This product is expected to provide longer-lasting protection in public spaces, increasing consumer confidence in resuming normal air travel, and other activities.
Trump EPA Approves First-Ever Long-Lasting Antiviral Product for Use Against COVID-19
Regardless, the best course of action is to assume any claim of residual efficacy has not been reviewed by the EPA, and should not be relied upon as a primary defense against SARS-CoV-2.
How often should a facility be cleaned?
The answer to this question is a bit more straight forward--every day that the facility is used.
The act of entering a facility contaminates it with germs, bacteria, and toxic chemicals--either on the soles of our feet, in the air we exhale, or from our hands.
Any surface that is commonly touched should be considered a germ hotspot and wiped down regularly with an EPA registered commercial disinfectant.
How deeply and thoroughly a space should be cleaned and disinfected will be a product of the number of people using the facility, the demographic of the occupants, and what they are using it for.
As an example, a conference room that is occupied once per week for faculty meetings by healthy adults will not need to be cleaned as often as a classroom or student restroom.
References & Resources
- Schools Asking Cleaning Pros For Advice
- FAQs On Disinfecting Schools
- The Effectiveness of Disinfectant Foggers Against COVID-19 and Other Germs
Takeaway
Maintaining high levels of cleanliness and hygiene in large educational facilities can be daunting for cash-strapped districts burdened with increasing custodial costs.
A proven and cost-effective method for ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and safety is outsourcing daily and specialized custodial services to an experienced service provider.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756
