by Joan Sinclair Petzen
Since the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic several months ago, protecting ourselves, our families, our employees, and businesses has become critical. People are using many substances to clean, sanitize, disinfect, and sterilize. Note each product has very specific intended uses and misuse can have lethal results. Beginning in March, the National Poison Data System (NPDS), has observed a significant up-tick in the reports of poisoning with cleaners and disinfectants. Knowing the difference between products designed and approved for use on people versus in our environment is crucial to keeping our people protected and safe, our environment clean and the virus at bay.
A look at information from the NPDS shows an increase in the number of calls reporting exposures since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The graphs below show the number of exposures reported for the period of January 1 through April 1 for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Reported exposures in the later part of March 2020 for both cleaner and disinfectants grew to nearly double the number reported during the same time frame in either 2018 or 2019. Detailed analysis of the changes from 2019 to 2020 showed among cleaners, bleaches accounted for 62% of the exposure increase. For disinfectants, hand sanitizers and non-alcohol disinfectants each accounted for about 37% of the increase. Chemicals should not be mixed unless recommended on the label, as it can be dangerous. For example, mixing chemicals, especially acids, with bleach can result in the release of noxious gasses that can be fatal. According to the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Report issued April 24, 2020, “to reduce improper use and prevent unnecessary chemical exposures, users should always read and follow directions on the label, only use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label), avoid mixing chemical products, wear eye and skin protection, ensure adequate ventilation, and store chemicals out of the reach of children.”
First, let us define the different types of products:
- Cleaners – remove germs dirt and impurities from surfaces and objects. Cleaners do not claim to kill living organisms and, thus, are not pesticides.
- Sanitizers – reduce the number for microorganisms on surfaces. They do not disinfect or sterilize. There is no sanitizer only pesticide product that claims to be effective against viruses. Pesticidal sanitizers are used on inanimate surfaces, for example food contact surfaces.
- Disinfectants – Inactivate fungi, viruses, or bacteria, but not large numbers of spores, on surfaces and objects. They inactivate germs after cleaning, but do not clean. Because disinfectants cannot penetrate grime, they are not effective on dirty surfaces.
- Sterilizers – destroy or eliminate all forms of microbial life, including viruses, fungi and bacteria, and bacterial and fungal spores. They are often used in hospitals and for medical and surgical equipment.
Target the use of cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing products. These products are not one size fits all. Some are approved for use on people and are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Others are suitable for use on surfaces and are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and, in NY, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Hand sanitizers are over the counter drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and will include “Drug Facts” on the label. The law requires strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements for drugs, and there are regulations specifying minimum current GMP requirements for drugs. Hand sanitizers are not to be confused with disinfectants sprays or wipes which are not intended for use on humans or animals. Disinfectant products can cause skin or eye irritation. Disinfectants are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces and must be allowed to remain on a surface for a certain amount of time to be effective. Always follow the label instructions on household cleaners, for safety information and, directions for use, and contact/dwell time.
Public health antimicrobial pesticides control microorganisms that cause infections to humans in the inanimate environment. These sanitizers, disinfectants and sterilizers are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in New York by the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). These pesticides control microbes that could affect humans but are on inanimate surfaces or objects in the environment. Under FIFRA, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, antimicrobials with antipathogenic or public health claims are required to be tested for efficacy. Which means, they must be tested to prove they are effective against the specific pathogen they claim to reduce or kill. Because COVID-19 is an emerging pathogen, there are products that have been designated for use against the virus that may not yet have the virus on their label. In order to know what products are legal for use against human coronavirus, you must check the NYSDEC list of registered disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2.
Wipes can be particularly confusing because many products with different intended uses are sold in similar looking packages. Always read the label before selecting a wipe product to be certain it is safe for your intended use. If they are intended to be used on a person’s skin for cleansing or moisturizing, they are regulated as a cosmetic or if they have a therapeutic use, then they are regulated as a drug. Both cosmetics and drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. However, if they are intended for use on surfaces, they are either a cleanser regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or a disinfectant regulated by the EPA.
As you work with employees and family members to keep things clean and sanitary in the work environment around the farm, always read the label. Only use products for their intended and labeled use to avoid toxicity issues related to exposure to cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing products. Lastly, never mix products to avoid chemical reactions whose vapors might injure or kills someone.
