Methods For COVID-19 Cleaning: Safe or Unsafe?

While we have previously addressed some of the more common myths about coronavirus, there have also been some misconceptions about products and methods that kill the virus. These methods include fogging, heating, UV rays, and more. Here we’ll go over all of these to explain why they are or aren’t effective as well as give insights on the most effective and safest methods for disinfecting coronavirus (COVID-19).

Aftermath Services Weighs In on COVID-19 Cleaning Methods

Ozone Generators

Ozone generators are devices that produce ozone molecules. The theory is that they remove airborne pollutants to purify indoor air; however this has been debunked by many international health organizations including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NSW in Australia. Ozone generators are fairly effective at removing impurities from water, but the levels of ozone it takes to purify indoor air come with seriously negative health effects for inhabitants, damaging the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Additionally, the EPA strongly advises that, “When used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants.”

Verdict: Ineffective, Unsafe.

Fogging

‘Fogging’ is essentially another word for fumigation. While fogging/fumigation may be effective for removing some forms of bacteria, fungi, or household pests, it is not a verified method for disinfecting coronavirus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that effective coronavirus remediation requires both (1) cleaning surfaces of dirt, grime, and grease as well as (2) cleaning contaminated surfaces with liquid disinfectant to prevent its spread. Friction caused by wiping the surface ensures maximum contact for the greatest risk reduction.

Additionally, as we’ve previously covered, relying on fogging only could be illegal. Fogging does not meet EPA-registered label requirements without proper pre-cleaning and may be a violation of federal law.

Verdict: Ineffective.

Heating

When the pandemic first began, misinformation about heat killing the virus was spreading like wildfire. Advice such as going to the sauna, taking a hot bath, or drinking tea, were making the rounds on the internet, despite being completely unsubstantiated and outright dangerous. While most viruses outside the body can be killed by temperatures exceeding 140F, there is yet no sufficient evidence from credible health sources that heat will remediate COVID-19 in high concentrations. Initial tests do show that the virus can be killed at 56°C (around 132°F) at around 10,000 units per 15 mins; however, other key parameters such as exposure duration, humidity, viral load, etc. have not yet been determined to effectively remediate the virus from infected surfaces. The data is not yet conclusive; and there are far more reliable, proven ways to disinfect COVID-19.

Verdict: Inconclusive, Unreliable, Potentially Unsafe.

UV Light

The International Ultraviolet Association has claimed UV lights to be an effective disinfectant for many purposes, including water and air filtration for years. In fact, some hospitals use it to disinfect equipment from certain diseases and superbugs. But these types of UV lights come with their own set of problems: the type of light (a subset of UV called UVC) that such disinfectants use can cause permanent damage to DNA and even cause cancer, in some cases. This doesn’t even mention that it may not be as effective against COVID-19.

The National Academy of Sciences says, “UV light has been shown to destroy other coronaviruses, so it will probably work on the novel coronavirus. But UV light damages human skin, so it should only be used on objects or surfaces.” They go on to explain that while UV lights have been proven to kill certain microbes and other viruses, “it is not widely used in hospitals or other health care settings. The U.S. government and the UV technology industry are working to define standards for UV disinfection technologies in healthcare settings. Most UV sanitizers have not been tested against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.”

Verdict: Currently Untested, Potentially Unsafe.

Best Method For Disinfecting COVID-19

As it stands now, there is only one tried-and-true method for disinfecting coronavirus. Aftermath goes above and beyond to ensure your safety by taking utilizing state-of-the-art procedures and precautions when performing any coronavirus cleanup:

  • Use CDC-approved and EPA-registered, industrial-strength disinfectants with a broad spectrum kill claim
  • All infected materials are cleaned, then disinfected, and disposed of properly
  • Fully encapsulated personal protective equipment (PPE) and full-face respirator masks are worn at all times by certified cleanup technicians
  • A stringent coronavirus demobilization process for equipment, transportation and waste storage areas 

Aftermath Services is the nation’s #1 expert in biohazard remediation and infectious disease disinfection, including the novel coronavirus. We value you, your business, your customers and your family, which is why we only use proven equipment and methods to disinfect COVID-19. We also employ the use of verifiable surface testing after we’re finished, to ensure no trace of the virus can be found. 

Aftermath Services Is Here to Help 24/7

If you think an employee or customer has visited your business and exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, Aftermath Services’ technicians can deploy quickly to remediate the area. Our COVID-19 disinfection technicians also provide proactive preventative maintenance on a regular cleaning schedule to mitigate future spread.

Our business was built on keeping you safe from invisible dangers — we understand that the health and safety of you, your family, and employees are on the line. Don’t take any chances; call in the professionals at 877-769-6917.

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