Clear, relevant, and credible information are important in any point of time, but are especially crucial in a time of pandemic when such information could spell the difference between life and death. As the world faces COVID-19, the public has been bombarded with all kinds of information. Understanding the meaning behind frequently used terms featured on health and safety guidelines could help the general public properly follow these suggested protocols.
One of the most commonly used words nowadays are undoubtedly, “disinfect” and “clean.” Unfortunately, most people may not realize the huge difference between the two. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a global leader in detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats, made a point to highlight the difference between the two. As the leading health protection agency, CDC is one of the most trusted names and sources of information available today.
In order to combat the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus, CDC has released several materials on protecting yourself, your properties, and your household on their official website and other verified social media channels. On the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, CDC clarified:
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
This means that simply cleaning or using traditional “cleaners” won’t cut it in the fight against COVID-19 since cleaning does not kill microorganisms. Besides highlighting the role of disinfection, CDC emphasized the need for using EPA-registered disinfectants, which are products that have been verified by the scientific community to kill and eliminate SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus).
Check The Label
Understanding the information on a disinfectant product label is not only critical in knowing how to safely use it but also in ensuring its efficacy against microorganisms. (Read more here.)
Disinfectants may have a range of uses, such as cleaner, deodorizer, sanitizer, disinfectant, fungicide, virucide or ‘for hospital, institutional and industrial use’. As an 18-in-1 solution, Biotab7 is superior among other disinfectants.
Label claims must be supported by efficacy testing. But many products in the market today make claims that are unsupported by scientific evidence and official certifications.
To ensure validity of claims, data on a product’s chemistry, efficacy, toxicity to humans, animals and plants, and other parameters must be tested and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to the marketing of the chemical.
Disinfectant vs Sanitizer vs Antiseptic
According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), it is also important to understand the difference among the terms and concepts of “disinfectants,” “sanitizers,” and “antimicrobial” which have also become prevalent on the news and online these days. Below are some of the information you need to understand the differences among these terms. (You can read more on NPIC’s antimicrobial fact sheet right here.)
Cleaners do not kill microorganisms and are not considered antimicrobial.
Antimicrobial products kill or slow the spread of microorganisms. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi such as mold and mildew. There are several types of public health antimicrobials:
Sanitizers are the weakest public-health antimicrobials. Sanitizers only make claims to kill bacteria on surfaces, not viruses. They reduce bacteria on surfaces.The label will indicate how a sanitizer can be used.
Antiseptics like hand sanitizers are used on people, not surfaces, to kill bacteria and viruses.
Disinfectants kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces and are stronger than sanitizers. Disinfectants kill or prevent the growth of bacteria (bactericide) and fungi (fungicide). Some disinfectants target specific viruses (virucide). Disinfectants are the preferred public-health antimicrobial for common surfaces in medical settings. Disinfectants are also used in residential settings. As an algaecide, they are used to purify swimming pools and disinfect household surfaces such as linens, toilets, and bathtubs.
*Disinfectants and sanitizers can only be used on surfaces, not on people.
Image source: NPIC
What are the available EPA-registered disinfectants in the Philippines?
Currently, ISPS offers the only EPA-registered disinfectant in the Philippine market that is proven effective against SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) in as fast as one (1) minute: Biotab7. It is also registered under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Phippines' health product regulatory agency. FDA regulates the drugs, medical devices, food, and household/urban hazardous substances.
What is Biotab7?
Made in US
Biotab7 is a safe and potent disinfectant laboratory-tested and scientifically proven to destroy 99% of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, their toxins, and transmissible agents. It is FDA approved, EPA registered, NSF D2 or food contact safe, and certified USDA organic.
EPA Certified
Biotab7's advanced formula is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 132 application sites for over 20 pathogens.
60s Kill Time
Biotab7 is an 18-in-1 antimicrobial solution engineered to effectively destroy germs, viruses, bacteria and fungi with a registered kill time of 60 seconds.
🚫 ZERO chemicals
🚫 ZERO toxic ingredients
🚫 ZERO residual poison
✅ FDA Approved
✅ EPA Registered
✅ NSF D2 Certified
For more information on disinfectants and Biotab7, you can contact us on Facebook, through phone, or e-mail:
Phone: 0917 305 8961
Email: info@internationalsps.com
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