New Delhi: From SARS to H1N1 and now COVID-19, the past decade has seen many viruses and flus caused by ‘germs’. It has also spawned dozens of new products that brag about their microbe-killing properties.
Preventive hygiene products, including sanitizers and home care products like handwash, floor and toilet cleaners, come with a disclaimer that they kill 99.9 percent, or 99.99 percent, of common bacteria and fungi. We’ve seen it in commercials, read them on the label of ad nauseam. But have you stopped to consider what it really means?
A claim like killing 99.99 percent of germs may not be an appreciable promise given that many products can actually contain different types of germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores for their performance. While products may be 99.99 percent effective on one type of germ, they may not be effective on others that are difficult to disinfect.
Some of the most popular products making this claim are effective on only a small spectrum of germs and pathogens. The proof comes in the form of a fine print somewhere on the container that lists the germs that a product actually kills. And this list may or may not include some or all viruses. This means that initially the spectrum of 100 per cent is limited.
Not all disinfectants and medical fluids are created equal. Contrary to popular belief, disinfectant solutions can differ from each other in many different ways. They may also have different efficacy claims and dilution ratios. The most common disinfectant solutions used for facility maintenance or deep disinfection are composed of active ingredients such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), quaternary ammonium (quat), hydrogen peroxide, silver ions, alcohol or acid, iodine, etc. Each of these has its own germ-riding characteristics, and when mixed in a solution with other compounds, they can be effective on different strains of pathogens.
So, what should you watch?
* View third-party certificates – Products certified by an independent testing facility, preferably ISO-affiliated, are unlikely to be able to claim something they do not deliver. These details can be found on the labels of the products you choose. Go beyond ads and top-line claims — read the small print and engage before you shop.
* Be aware of usage scenarios – When choosing a product, look for the active ingredients responsible for disinfection. Brands such as Domex Surface and Flour Disinfectant contain sodium hypochlorite as an active ingredient. It is one of the most potent disinfectants available and covers a wide spectrum of germs such as bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative), viruses (both enveloped viruses and non-enveloped viruses more difficult to disinfect), fungi and spores works on. Various scientific literature confirms that sodium hypochlorite is fast acting and unaffected by hard water.
* Beware of products that attempt to do more than one thing – 8/10 times that of products that try to sell themselves as a refreshing and disinfecting agent can be diluted by mixing them into one, leading to less effective versions of products that focus on a basic premise.
*Read about technology/science The product is using to do this.
* Product details section On e-commerce platforms, labels or product websites are good places to find this information.
The use of disinfecting agents is important, especially at a time when everyday hygiene is of utmost importance. However, it is imperative that we take some time to assess the specifics of the product, and its certifications to truly judge efficacy. As consumers, we need to be aware of what we are paying for at the end of the day.
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