3 Ways Surface Disinfection Prevents Coronavirus
The Coronavirus comes from the family of viruses that causes the respiratory illness, COVID-19. It is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets sent into thin air whenever an infected person coughs or sneezes. When inhaled by other people, these droplets can cause infection.
Another way the virus spreads is through surface contact. When these droplets land on surfaces and another person touches those surfaces, they can be infected when they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
What is the Coronavirus made of?
According to studies, the Coronavirus has a protective layer enveloping it. This fat layer is easily torn by common household disinfectants. Experts said that compared to noroviruses and other common viruses, Coronavirus is relatively weaker.
There are many ways to prevent Coronavirus infection. One of them is through regular surface disinfection. This is because the Coronavirus can spread via surface contact. Keeping surfaces in your home, or your office clean and disinfected can reduce the risks of infection.
Here are ways surface disinfection can prevent coronavirus:
1. Disinfecting High-Touch Surfaces
High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, etc. should be disinfected regularly. The Coronavirus can last on surfaces for up to 72 hours. Just imagine how dirty these surfaces are, which you touch almost a hundred times a day!
Cleaning is different from disinfecting surfaces. Before you disinfect any surface, it is imperative to clean it first to remove germs and dirt. Disinfecting removes bacteria and viruses on surfaces.
It is an important preventive measure to disinfect high-touch surfaces such as remotes, light switches, desks, doorknobs, counters, toilet and faucet handles, and tables, because the coronavirus can live on surfaces for days.
2. The Coronavirus Lifespan
Studies have already established that the Coronavirus can last for up to 72 hours on surfaces. But how long exactly can it last in different types of surfaces?
According to the Journal of Hospital Infection, this family of viruses that cause the COVID-19 can last at room temperature for:
- 2 days on steel
- 4 days on wood & glass
- 5 days on metal, other types of plastic, & ceramics
- 9 days on plastic
- 2-8 hours on aluminum
- Less than 8 hours on latex
While on some surfaces, the Coronavirus can last in just a matter of hours. Through preventive Coronavirus disinfection of surfaces, you are significantly eliminating risks of infection through surfaces. Disinfection largely kills 99.999% of bacteria and viruses.
3. Coronavirus can live in the air
Recent studies by National Institutes of Health (NIH), CDC, UCLA, and Princeton University also show that the Coronavirus can also cling on to the air, other than surfaces. It can be caught through breathing infected air.
Furthermore, the virus is stable in air for up to three hours. This is why surface disinfection is just as important in maintaining a good indoor air quality.
Professional Surface Disinfection Service Providers
Hiring some professional help from a home disinfection company or office disinfection experts is a great option if you want quality disinfection done in your home or office. They are generally experts in their field and are equipped with the latest equipment and technologies.