Ozone is used as a disinfectant. Do you recommend using it for eliminating COVID-19?
No, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completely advises against this, as it can irritate mucous membranes.
As ultraviolet rays are proven to be an effective germicide, are they a good option for disinfecting against the Coronavirus?
This could be a good option in terms of how quickly it works. However, it's important to bear in mind that in order to effectively eliminate pathogens, you would need a wavelength of between 200-280 nanometres (specifically around the 265nm mark), which burns the skin and eyes. For this reason, no persons should be present during the disinfection process.
Not only that, but we still don't know the full effect that UV rays can have on exposed surfaces.
Lastly, UV rays only work on the direct surface that they are being shined on, which means that all surfaces would need to be cleaned prior to use. This could cause the risk of a bad reaction with any products that were used to carry out the preliminary cleaning process.
There are currently several atomisers and nebulizers available on the market which can be used for disinfection purposes. Do you recommend using these for eliminating COVID-19?
This equipment is relatively inexpensive and offers both manual and electronic options. However, there are currently no available studies to demonstrate the effects that they could have on the COVID-19 virus, nor the time required to eliminate it. This equipment comes in various different types:
- Products containing Hypochlorite: these types of products are effective on hard surfaces but can damage fabrics and are highly oxidizing on hospital machinery.
- Hypochlorous acid: this is a highly virucidal and bacteriostatic acid. It can be used on hard and partially porous surfaces.
- Advanced Oxidation Processes: just like hypochlorous acid this is highly virucidal and bacteriostatic, but also friendlier on the environment and your skin. It is perfect for use on fabrics and hard surfaces, either partially porous or porous. As this is an energy-efficient device, it can be used while you work and we recommend using it 24-hours a day.
- Quaternary ammonium: are bactericides, although they're not as effective on the virus as the others. For this reason, we don't recommend their use, although they are good for using on hospital machinery.