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Bleach-alternative COVID-19 surface disinfectants may pollute indoor air.

2greys profile image
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The research team found that mopping a floor with a commercially available hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant raised the level of airborne hydrogen peroxide to more than 600 parts per billion—about 60 per cent of the maximum level permitted for exposure over eight hours, and 600 times the level naturally occurring in the air. The results were just published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

“When you’re washing surfaces, you are also changing the air you are breathing,” said USask chemistry researcher Tara Kahan, senior author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Analytical Chemistry. “Poor indoor air quality is associated with respiratory issues such as asthma.”

Too much exposure to hydrogen peroxide could lead to respiratory, skin, and eye irritation, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased cleaning and demand for all types of cleaning products, including bleach alternatives that contain hydrogen peroxide.

news.usask.ca/articles/rese...

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CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

The strong bleach used to clean all the surfaces and floor was a major irritant to me when I was in hospital in July. The domestic staff were very sympathetic but had to follow the strict routines. I was just glad that my bed was next to a window which I had permanently open to the limit of the restrictors on it.

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply to CDPO16

I worked in microbiology lab and w e used phenolic disinfectants and chlorine for discard of lnfective material ,. The chlorine was easily inactivated and used more in virology and the phenolic disinfectant was better when a lot of other materials might be involved. We washed the benches every night before leaving with the phenolic disinfectants with the result I am now sensitive to both chlorine and phenols..

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Jaybird19

I know that these chemicals can be the cause of COPD but I don't know if the same applies to bronchiectasis.

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply to CDPO16

No not the cause. I had a pulmonary abscess probably caused by inhaling brick dust from building demolition 12ft away on hospital site where I worked at timeand I think that was the initial problem .l m not even sure that I do have bronchiectasis because it is not typical. I was classed as "industrial asthma"until the consultant retired and someone else took over and decided it was bronchiectasis.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Jaybird19

Can't be easy living with that uncertainty and how best to deal with it. At least I have a definite diagnosis following extensive tests.