Sometimes dangerous solutions are the only way to solve dangerous problems. However, when it comes to disinfecting schools, that can not be the case. The COVID-19 virus is a deadly enemy, and it’s essential to treat it as such. But at the same time, it’s crucial to avoid unsafe methods of sanitation and disinfection in our mission to keep schools safe.
The only way to achieve safer school disinfection is to make informed decisions on the matter. Here’s what you need to know about school disinfection and how you can reopen safely:
- How does increasing cleaning chemicals in schools impact student health?
- The drawbacks of traditional disinfection.
- What is UVC disinfection?
- How UVC disinfection can help schools reopen safely.
How Does Increasing Cleaning Chemicals in Schools Impact Student Health?
Due to the COVID pandemic, demand for chemical disinfectants has seen unprecedented increases in demand with top suppliers such as Clorox reporting demand spikes of over 500% in the summer months of 2020. As schools attempt to reopen, the required stringent cleaning and sanitizing protocols mean far more chemical exposure. Unfortunately, that, too, is a threat to public health.
The majority of products used to disinfect against COVID-19 contain the active ingredient Quaternary ammonium. Others contain combinations of different chemicals, including Hydrogen Peroxide, Isopropanol, Ethanol, Peroxyacetic Acid, Triethylene glycol, and Sodium hypochlorite.
According to top researchers, including Harvard University, these chemicals, especially that of Quaternary ammonium and Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) — have negative health effects when used regularly. Among the most concerning negative health effects are an increased risk of COPD, fertility problems, and asthma.
Children have the highest health risks from exposure to these chemicals, with estimates that 5% of childhood cancer and almost a third of childhood asthma are related to chemical exposures.
With the drastic increase in chemical exposure, we are already seeing significant health impacts in the US. US Poison Centers recently reported the number of poisonings from disinfectants in March of 2020 had doubled compared to March of the previous year, and this was before the pandemic took hold in the US.
The Drawbacks of Traditional Disinfection
Traditional disinfection refers to the chemical methods used to kill all germs in an environment. As technology has advanced, so too have the methods of disinfection. However, traditional disinfection methods are still most commonly used, primarily because, while they get the job done, it can be challenging to think beyond Clorox wipes and consider improved methods. Furthermore, there are some significant drawbacks to traditional chemical disinfection. These include:
- Health Risks: The use of these chemicals can cause respiratory illness and health problems for those exposed to it. The CDC states that “cleaning and disinfection products should not be used near children” and that the area must have adequate ventilation.
- Inefficient: Beyond the environmental resources used to produce the chemicals needed for traditional disinfection, the time and labor to apply this method of disinfection at the levels necessary to combat COVID-19 is costly, inefficient, and therefore, not ideal as a long-term solution. Sprays must rest on a surface for 10 minutes prior to wiping down, greatly increasing the time to disinfect a room. This inefficiency is expensive, as daily disinfection has become a cost burden.
- Resource Consuming: The large-scale manufacture and production of plastic bottles filled with cleaning supplies results in a negative ecological impact, with the natural decomposition of plastic bottles estimated at 450 years. However, it’s not sustainable to consistently utilize these chemicals as a lasting solution.
What is UVC Disinfection?
UVC disinfection is a method of killing germs by exposing them to ultraviolet radiation over a period of time. As a means of disinfection, UVC boasts the highest energy portion of the UV radiation spectrum and can effectively destroy the outer protein coating of germs and viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19. When the outer protein coating of a germ or virus is destroyed, they are rendered inactive and unable to cause disease.
UVC disinfection is not a new concept or innovation that has yet to be tested on a large-scale. It has been in use since the 1930s when it was used to disinfect smallpox and mumps. As a result of years of testing, UVC disinfection is now being used safely, rather than on an experimental basis.
We have strived in the past to see this highly effective, very safe technology fully implemented for airborne infections. We’ve done the studies. We know it works. - Dr. Edward A. Nardell, Professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School
UVC disinfection is not utilized on its own as a means of total disinfection, nor should it be. Small particles like dust, soil, or other contaminants can block UVC radiation from reaching virus particles. That’s why it’s essential to pair UVC disinfection with small amounts of manual cleaning methods to form a robust and effective disinfection strategy.
How UVC Disinfection Can Help Schools Reopen Safely
It can be difficult to mitigate the risk of viruses and germs alongside the risk of the harmful side effects of consistent use and exposure to the most common disinfectants. But, disinfection does not need to be a double-edged sword. UVC lighting can be immediately implemented to increase your disinfection efficacy while reducing chemical usage and decreasing costs. This knowledge will enable you to make an informed decision about the disinfection methods that you will use to allow your schools to reopen safely.
One of the most important advantages of UVC disinfection is its modular implementation. UVC lighting can be installed in individual classrooms, and then eventually expand to hallways and offices. It can be safely implemented into air ducts to disinfect air as it is circulated throughout a room or building. You can add an intelligent system that utilizes connected sensors to initiate sanitization schedules once a room is emptied.
Why Choose UVC Disinfection
For those seeking a safe, effective solution that reduces costs, UVC disinfection is the perfect choice. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of UVC disinfection in schools:
- UVC Disinfection is Safe: Unlike chemical cleaning methods, safe UVC disinfection has not been linked to serious health issues, specifically those that might exacerbate or cause pre-existing conditions that would make a disease, like the COVID-19 virus, more deadly.
- Longevity and Sustainability: UVC lamps and lighting need only be installed once and can last for decades against coronavirus, the common cold, the flu, and most other illness-causing pathogens. Routine maintenance and inspection are all you need to ensure that you have a lasting solution that will last to see the graduation of thousands of students.
- Effectiveness: When used alongside cleaning methods, UVC disinfection is one of the most effective disinfection methods. This is largely due to its ability to render viruses and germs inactive by destroying their protein coating.
Key Takeaways
At the end of the day, you can’t beat a respiratory illness with cleaning efforts that cause respiratory illness. So whether you choose UVC disinfection or another method to ensure the complete disinfection of a school, it’s crucial to choose a safe option. Reopening at this stage means adapting to a new normal. It's an opportunity to invest in the safety of your school in the long-term rather than choosing short-term, unsustainable solutions.
Still not convinced about UVC being the best option for safer disinfection? Download our white paper on the subject to learn more.
Do you think UVC disinfection is the right choice for schools at this time? Let us know in the comments below.