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During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments may be suitable options to help control the spread of the virus, by cleaning and disinfecting a larger space or room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Any use of these treatments for these purposes should form part of your\u00a0COVID-19 risk assessment<\/a>. Users must be\u00a0competent and properly trained<\/a>. Select the\ncorrect treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you choose to use fog, mist,\nvapour or UV treatments as a way of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, discuss\nyour requirements with your manufacturers\/suppliers (this may include\nfumigators), to help you decide if a product\/system meets your needs. The\ntreatment you use will depend on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fog, mist, vapour method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If using the fog, mist, vapour method\nyou will need to ensure the correct concentration of the active chemical is\nused, this means there is enough for it to work properly, but not so much as to\nleave a residue which may remain at unsafe levels for some time after treatment\nends. There are different types of source disinfectants that can be applied as\na fog, mist or vapour treatment. Some are liquid disinfectants used to create a\nfog, mist or vapour, such as hydrogen peroxide, others are generated from\ngases, for example ozone from air. Seek advice on what is appropriate to the\nenvironment that requires treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UV method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An advantage of UV over disinfectants\napplied as a fog, mist or vapour is that no chemical residue is left behind. Rooms\nwith complex configurations\/interior designs may not be suitable for UV\ntreatments due to the limitations of shadowing effects, unless multiple systems\ncan be deployed. Similarly, very small spaces, such as small sanitary areas,\nmay not be suitable for treatment via UV carousel as they need to be a minimum\ndistance from walls etc to be deployed safely. Some disinfectant technologies\nare scalable so are typically more flexible in this respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoiding\nharm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Disinfectants applied as a fog, mist\nor vapour may reach harmful levels during delivery and UV systems may cause\neye\/skin damage if people enter an area undergoing treatment. Discuss with\nsuppliers what safety features they can provide to prevent inadvertent access to\na room during treatment. For example, safety sensors, simply locking rooms\nduring treatment if feasible, or safety signage as part of a safe system of\nwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not spray people with\ndisinfectants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spraying of individuals with\ndisinfectants (such as in a tunnel, cabinet, or chamber) is not recommended\nunder any circumstances. This practice could be physically and psychologically\nharmful and would not reduce an infected person\u2019s ability to spread the virus\nthrough droplets or contact. Even if someone who is infected with COVID-19 goes\nthrough a disinfection tunnel or chamber, as soon as they start speaking,\ncoughing or sneezing they can still spread the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not disinfect large outdoor spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In outdoor spaces, large-scale\nspraying or disinfecting in areas such as streets or open marketplaces for the\nCOVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Streets and pavements are\nnot considered as routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants,\neven outdoors, can be dangerous to people\u2019s health and cause eye, respiratory\nor skin irritation or damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supply and\nmanufacture of disinfectants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The disinfectant applied as a fog,\nmist or vapour treatment must comply with the Biocidal Products Regulations\n(BPR). This includes the generation of ozone or free radicals. Please note the\nuse of UV to disinfect is not covered by the BPR. Under BPR it is the\ndisinfectant, or the chemical used to generate the disinfectant, added to the\nmachine, that is the biocidal product. Please note that the machine itself is\nnot covered by BPR. Suppliers of fog, mist or vapour units\/machines should\nensure that any disinfectant products they supply or recommend using with the\nunit\/machine comply with BPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HSE has published separate guidance\non the regulatory requirements for surface disinfectant products used, manufactured and supplied during the outbreak<\/a>,\nwhich applies to disinfectant products applied via fog\/mist\/vapour\nunits\/machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers of disinfectant\nproducts are responsible for ensuring that their products are suitably\neffective, including meeting any necessary testing standards. They are also\nresponsible for providing information and instructions for the user on the\nproduct label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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