COVID-19: Disinfecting Techniques to Help Control Spread

As the COVID-19 virus continues to move across the globe it is becoming increasing critical that we all take necessary steps to help mitigate its spread. Part of our response will be to employ all tools and methodologies at our disposal to help protect ourselves, our families, and our coworkers. Touch point disinfecting and electrostatic spray disinfection---when utilized properly---can help contain the spread of COVID-19.

Touch Point Disinfecting

It is important to remember that cleaning a surface is not the same thing as disinfecting a surface. Many common cleaning products will not kill the virus that may be living on the surface of a high-contact area. These areas can include light switches, doorknobs, faucets, elevator buttons, computer keyboards, kitchen appliances, countertops, and many more. Depending on surface material, the COVID-19 virus can live on a surface for several hours up to several days.

To maximize the impact of your touch point disinfecting make sure to adhere to these basic principles:

• Schedule and Frequency: Make sure to establish a firm schedule for your touch point disinfecting routines. Make sure to follow that schedule as a top priority. Your cleaning frequency will depend on several factors (facility type, population, working habits, internal traffic, etc.) but it is important to remember that it will be better to disinfect too often rather than not often enough. During this COVID-19 outbreak it is recommended that you disinfect all high-contact surfaces multiple times per day.
• The Right Products: Select your cleaning products carefully. Make sure to use products that have been certified by the EPA as virus killers. There are products available today that are effective on both hard and soft surfaces.
• The Right Techniques: It will be critical that you follow the manufacturer's instructions related to proper use of their disinfectant. Utilizing the proper mix-ratios, dispensing methods, and dwell times will help ensure maximum impact. Dwell time is especially critical since that is the amount of time the disinfectant needs to remain on the surface in order to kill a virus. Use gloves and masks as recommended by the manufacturer.

Electrostatic Spray Disinfection

Electrostatic spray disinfection is a process that will allow you to efficiently apply disinfecting solution to any surface area. This technology involves applying a positive electric charge to the liquid disinfectant and a negative charge to the surface being treated, creating an electrostatic bond between the disinfectant and the surface area. This method of dispensing provides a consistent coating of disinfectant that can penetrate areas that may not be accessible via hand wipes. In the battle against COVID-19, electrostatic spray disinfection can help ensure that all potentially contaminated surfaces are thoroughly sanitized.

Electronic spray disinfection systems are available in several configurations, including handheld sprayers, backpack sprayers, and cart systems. Some are powered by battery, others via ac power. Each configuration brings its own advantages depending on your specific requirements.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a challenge that will require extraordinary due-diligence from all of us. Helping contain its spread via the methods discussed above can help turn the tide.