While disinfection was always a primary concern for those seeking to reduce their exposures in their space — whether it be in a professional or residential setting — the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed the necessity for proper sanitization practices.
Moreover, it has made it crucial that one seeks confirmation that their efforts are yielding impacts and certifiable results.
If you’re seeking to reduce the presence of potentially hazardous airborne particles and fomites from your space, here’s what you need to know about sanitizing and inspecting during the coronavirus outbreak:
Understanding How COVID-19 Appears In Your Space
While we experience a barrage of information instructing us to remain six-feet apart at all times, such directions only provide insight as to how the now-renowned coronavirus is spread from person to person. But how might its presence be perpetuated within a physical space?
For one, it’s important to note that these virus particles do not die immediately outside of a host. In fact, they retain a semblance of longevity while airborne — if they settle on surfaces (fomites) — and following their resuspension.
“Because a large number of bacteria are emitted from skin or oral cavities through coughing, sneezing, talking, and breathing, bacteria shed by humans are considered a source of airborne bacteria in built environments,” according to a 2017 study on the correlation between airborne pollutants and the occupancy of pedestrian spaces.
In other words, it is possible to come into contact with infectious fomites and airborne viruses hours after somebody has been in a given area. After it settles or is transferred onto a solid surface, it will remain there for several more days.
But the timeliness of your proximity to another person is not all that needs to be taken into account.
“Faulty plumbing and a poorly designed air ventilation system were implicated as contributing factors to the spread of the aerosolized SARS coronavirus in a high-rise apartment building in Hong Kong in 2003,” according to a sanitation guide released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March. “Similar concerns have been raised about the spread of the COVID-19 virus from faulty toilets in high-rise apartment buildings.”
Thus, disinfection processes must be thorough, systematic, and encompass far more than doorknobs and desk surfaces if they are to protect a building’s inhabitants.
The Ins-And-Outs Of The Disinfection Process
If the process of such in-depth disinfection seems intimidating, it’s important to know that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided guidelines for how best to sanitize and safeguard your home, professional facility, or other community spaces.
From airborne particles to surfaces laden with infectious particles, you will never be without ample resources to mitigate the spread of the virus in your property. That being said, be sure to remain cautious of any products that claim to be aimed specifically at eliminating COVID-19, as not all are what they appear to be.
“Consumers should beware of imposter disinfectant products that are being marketed online with potentially dangerous claims of protection against the novel coronavirus,” the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned.
Those seeking to properly disinfect their spaces in the midst of the pandemic can visit the EPA’s website for a list of disinfectants that have been approved for use against the new viral strain.
Confirming the Safety of A Space
As previously stated, once you have put in the work to disinfect your space, it is crucial to determine the efficacy of your sanitization efforts.
And if you are completing professional inspections across various spaces and industries, the InstaScope offers the revolutionary technology you need to put your customers’ minds at ease, as it is designed to detect the total concentrations of airborne microbiological particles.
While the InstaScope does not specifically identify coronavirus, it does detect the total airborne microbiological loads and shows any significant reductions that occur after effective disinfection procedures.
In other words, it is currently the only scientifically-proven instrument vetted for assessing and reporting in real-time, whether disinfection efforts are successful in reducing airborne microbial exposures.
Are you ready to combat infectious aerosols by providing instant and certifiable results? Then it’s time to turn to the InstaScope! To learn more about the InstaScope and its capabilities — or if you’re ready to equip your team with the industry’s leading technology — contact DetectionTek today by calling 720-410-7030 or emailing info@instascope.co.
