Spraying disinfectants in open doesn’t kill coronavirus, can even be ‘harmful’: WHO

1
1 min read
Kashmir SMC workers spray disinfectants with new robotic machines in wake of spreading of coronavirus in Srinagar Umar Ganie scaled

Spraying disinfectant on the streets, as practised in some countries, does not eliminate the new coronavirus and even poses a health risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.

In a document on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as part of the response to the virus, the WHO says spraying can be ineffective.

“Spraying or fumigation of outdoor spaces, such as streets or marketplaces, is… not recommended to kill the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens because disinfectant is inactivated by dirt and debris,” explains the WHO.

“Even in the absence of organic matter, chemical spraying is unlikely to adequately cover all surfaces for the duration of the required contact time needed to inactivate pathogens.”

The WHO said that streets and pavements are not considered as “reservoirs of infection” of COVID-19, adding that spraying disinfectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human health”.

The document also stresses that spraying individuals with disinfectants is “not recommended under any circumstances”.

“This could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact,” said the document.

Spraying chlorine or other toxic chemicals on people can cause eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm and gastrointestinal effects, it adds.

The organisation is also warning against the systematic spraying and fumigating of disinfectants on to surfaces in indoor spaces, citing a study that has shown it to be ineffective outside direct spraying areas.

“If disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant,” it says.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

1 Comment

  1. Grab the best Hand Sanitizers online at affordable prices from Bewakoof Get alcohol-based hand sanitizer before they run out of stock COD Free Shipping

Comments are closed.

Discover more from The Kashmir Monitor

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Don't Miss

WHO

WHO launches network to detect infectious disease threat

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation launched a global network to help swiftly
2022 12largeimg 1555746360

China hospital data absent from WHO’s latest covid reports, raising concern

Geneva/Beijing,, December 23: The World Health Organization has received no data from