Covid-19: Disinfection and its benefits

Cleaning may not remove or kill germs in surface. Disinfection is more effective than other detergents, lotions in reducing the microbial presence on floors. Surfaces are sources of transmission of epidemiologically important microbes including viruses like Covid-19. Disinfection is a process that destroys most types of micro-organisms, but which may allow bacterial spores to survive.

There are 2 methods of disinfection, chemical and thermal disinfection. Chemical disinfection is suitable for those items that cannot be subjected to the temperature required for the process of thermal disinfection.

Benefits of Surface Disinfection at House:

• Disinfectants will kill the germs that can cause many illnesses which a cleaning process cannot do other than just removing soil.
• Various surfaces in house like kitchen, doorknobs, bathroom, toilet, children toys etc carry lot of bacteria even though it is not visible like soil and can be removed only through disinfection.
• All the chemicals that are used should have US Environmental Protection Agency registration and approved by Dubai Municipality.
• Disinfection will kill bacteria such as Salmonella, E.Coli (which cause intestinal illness), Staphylococcus (which cause skin infections) and fungus (that cause athlete’s foot).
• It also kills viruses like Herpes Simplex, Rhinovirus (leading cause of common cold), Rotavirus (cause diarrhoea in children), Covid-19 etc.
• Chlorine bleach which is commonly used in house is inexpensive and fast acting.
• Disinfectants have a role to play in preventing infection transmission in the home.