Timely insights on whole room disinfection.
HealthcareNovember 17, 2020
What is the Role of Electrostatic Sprayers in Fighting COVID-19?
Understanding the EPA’s Expedited Review Process for New Application Methods
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing an effective and flexible disinfection strategy has taken center stage. As various studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, can survive on surfaces from 4 hours to up to 3 days, leaders across industries are seeking effective products and methods to disinfect their environments.
With this urgent need has come responses from key regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide guidance and a list of approved solutions. Early this year, the EPA released List N—a list of products approved for use against SARS-CoV-2. Since that time, the EPA has continued to add other products to List N that meet its necessary criteria. More recently, the EPA announced it will consider for expedited review new uses for currently registered active ingredients on List N, including new application methods such as electrostatic sprayers.
What Do the EPA’s Updates Mean for Electrostatic Sprayers?
The EPA’s announcement that under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) it will expedite review of electrostatic spray methods has brought greater attention to electrostatic sprayers—a mode of application already in use in many facilities to eliminate pathogens. This update comes in response to increased interest across a number of industries in applying disinfectants included on List N via electrostatic sprayers to disinfect large indoor spaces and mitigate risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
The updated policy applies to currently registered or new product registrations on List N, as well as those products that qualify but have not yet been included on the list. While the typical decision review time under PRIA ranges from 4-9 months, the update states that, to the best of its ability, the EPA will expedite the review process for electrostatic sprayers by 1-2 months. This will better allow environmental service and infection control professionals to select approved solutions and delivery methods to achieve whole room disinfection.
What Is the Proper Use of Electrostatic Sprayers?
While dry fogging disinfection systems like The Halo Disinfection System® act as effective and user-friendly unattended whole room disinfection solutions, electrostatic sprayers are one of the most thorough attended delivery methods. Electrostatic sprayers function by positively charging a liquid disinfectant as it exits the sprayer. These positively charged droplets are attracted to negatively charged hard, non-porous surfaces, and can wrap around these surfaces for more complete coverage than spray and wipe methods.
When using an electrostatic sprayer, it is critical to follow each step for maximum effectiveness and user safety:
- Charge the electrostatic sprayer.
- Fill the spray tank with a properly diluted solution that is EPA approved.
- Dress sprayer attendees with PPE coverage, such as masks, gloves, goggles, etc.
- Connect the tank to the sprayer.
- Turn the sprayer on.
- Adjust nozzles as needed for desired delivery.
- Start spraying, continuously moving the sprayer to avoid drips.
- Ensure minimum contact time is reached and all surfaces are wet.
Combatting COVID-19 with Halosil
At Halosil, we understand the importance of selecting the right disinfectant delivery application for your environment, and have been working with our customers worldwide to provide them with a whole room disinfection system that meets their needs. If you have any questions on the benefits of alternate delivery methods like electrostatic sprayers, contact our team today.