Use decontamination chambers and spraying disinfectants on frequently touched surfaces only: SLCM

• Published date: 05 May 2020
• Publication title: Sunday Times

Commenting on the use of decontamination chambers and spraying of disinfectants in public spaces to minimize the spread of COVID-19 virus, Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (SLCM) stressed that rather than spraying large quantities of disinfectants on streets and public areas, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down with disinfectant solutions.

In a public statement published on its website, the medical body noted that decontamination chambers and widespread spraying may give a false sense of security and members of the public may pay less attention to hand hygiene, social distancing and cough etiquette /respiratory hygiene which are of paramount importance in our fight against COVID 19.

'The SLCM is of the view that disinfectants should be sprayed or applied only on surfaces that are highly or frequently touched by the public, such as hand railings, door knobs, poles on transit vehicles, elevator buttons, park/ street benches etc. It has been proven that the virus can survive from hours to days on these contaminated surfaces.

The SLCM also added that the action of these disinfectants on these outdoor surfaces is not yet evaluated since disinfectants may disintegrate or degrade with exposure to different environmental conditions such as sunlight. Therefore, rather than spraying large quantities of disinfectants on streets and public areas, we suggest that frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down with disinfectant solutions.

'However, spraying of disinfectants in large quantities into the environment can cause environmental pollution, wastage of chemicals, harmful effects on humans as described above and harmful effects on animals and fish. Further, the action of...