The issue of disinfection and sanitization, crucial both in the medical and hospital sector, as well as in the industrial, service and hospitality sectors, has had a moment of great global interest due to the recent Sars-Cov-2 pandemic. For the first time, perhaps, terms such as disinfection and sanitization were used daily by non-experts.
In a recent protocol issued by the Italian “Istituto Superiore della Sanità”, emphasis is placed on the use of hydrogen peroxide, which is the basis of the functioning of AMIL Care products, as a key component in sanitizing environments against coronavirus.
Let’s see together in this article what the coronavirus is, and how to do COVID-19 sanitization.
What is the coronavirus?
The famous COVID-19 (or Sars-Cov-2) is a disease caused by a virus identified for the first time in China at the end of 2019, and which in turn is part of the coronavirus family.
Coronaviruses are a large family of respiratory viruses that cause mild to moderate illnesses, ranging from the common cold to respiratory syndromes such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). They are named for the crown-shaped spikes that are present on their surface.
Therefore, like other coronaviruses, COVID-19 affects the respiratory system, and is mainly transmitted through droplets, i.e., droplets of saliva spread by sneezing and coughing.
What are the symptoms of the coronavirus?
Sars-Cov-2 symptomatology is also complex, as each individual can perceive certain symptoms instead of others. In general, we can say that Sars-Cov-2 symptoms may include:
- temperature;
- generalized weakness;
- tiredness and asthenia;
- stuffy nose;
- difficulty or impossibility to perceive tastes and smells;
- in severe cases, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pneumonia, aphasia, difficulty moving or confusion, chest pain.
On average, those who have contracted the virus may experience symptoms about 5-6 days later; however, the incubation period can last up to 14 days.
How is the coronavirus transmitted?
Sars-Cov-2 is transmitted through:
- saliva, coughing and sneezing;
- direct personal contacts with infected individuals;
- hands, touching the mouth, nose, or eyes with contaminated (i.e. not yet washed) hands;
- fecal contamination, even if it happens rarely.
Another vector of transmission is the environment. Environmental contamination is a possible source of viral infection. In particular:
- contamination is found on personal items such as mobile phones, remote controls, and medical equipment in almost constant contact with the patient affected by Sars-Cov-2;
- contamination from rooms and toilets occupied by affected patients is possible;
- equally possible is contamination through the air in open environments.
- Sars-Cov-2 has been shown to be able to resist on surfaces for various periods of time, although contamination is less common.
It is important to add a consideration: COVID-19 is not dangerous – only – for the damage it causes, but also for how some pre-existing pathologies change – and get worse after the infection. For example, regarding fungal infections alone, numerous studies (compiled by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) have shown how Sars-Cov-2 can adversely affect previous diseases.
How to sanitize environments after COVID?
With regard to the ‘Directions for the implementation of measures to contain SARS-CoV-2 infection through sanitization procedures for non-sanitary facilities (surfaces, indoor environments) and clothing’, the heart of the report, which you can read in full at this link, these provisions involve encouraging the sanitization of environments, aimed at containing infection.
The report reads: “In companies, commercial establishments, services, and places open to the public, the periodic sanitization of the premises, internal environments and other areas connected to them must be ensured, where required. Furthermore, companies, in compliance with the indications of the Ministry of Health according to the methods deemed most appropriate, can organize specific/periodic cleaning interventions (Prime Minister’s Decree of 2 March 2021 GU General Series no. 52 of 2 March 2021 – Ordinary Supplement no. 17, current)”.
We also remind you that with the term sanitization from a COVID-19 perspective we mean “the complex of procedures and operations aimed at making certain environments healthy through cleaning and/or disinfection or through the control and improvement of the microclimate conditions regarding temperature, humidity, and ventilation or regarding lighting and noise”.
Which COVID sanitization products to choose?
The most frequently active ingredients used in disinfectant products authorized exclusively at a national level (Medical Surgical Devices; PMC) and at a national/European level are ethanol and other alcohols, quaternary ammonium salts, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite.
Hydrogen peroxide is an active biocide/disinfectant in aqueous solution approved under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), effective against numerous microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses.
The mechanism of action of hydrogen peroxide is related to its oxidizing properties and the denaturation of essential components of microorganisms, starting from lipid membranes, proteins and nucleic acids. The antimicrobial activity arises from the formation of powerful oxidants, such as hydroxyl radicals and oxygen singlets.
Hydrogen peroxide can be applied by aerosol or steam for surface and room disinfection.
AMIL Care: hydrogen peroxide in action with Medisystem
The combination of hydrogen peroxide and silver ions is the most effective method for environmental sanitation.
The Medisystem automated disinfection system by AMIL Care is based precisely on this combination.
Through a turbine, the Medibios dispensing machines – differentiated according to the environment to be treated – dispense Evolyse, a ready-to-use solution based on hydrogen peroxide and silver sulfate (10 ppm).
The emitted particles (<1 to 5 µm in size) are carried by the air and reach any free surface. The particles remain in suspension until their natural decay, instead of precipitating as in common aerosolization systems.
The saturation of the environment and the effectiveness of the Evolyse disinfectant guarantee complete disinfection even where the traditional method does not achieve the results required by the standard.
The automated device with no-touch technology allows high-level disinfection cycles, based on certified decontamination protocols, for effective sanitization of environments in total safety.