Residents Advised to Stay Inside - Upcoming COVID Disinfection!

Source: OT-Team(S,J),Paper.cn, Sina

Since the first notification on July 15 of the detection with 151 local positive COVID-19 infections, as of the morning of July 19, Huaiyuan County, which is located in Bengbu City, Anhui Province has reported a total of more than 300 confirmed and asymptomatic infections.

On July 17, the Urban Management Bureau of Huaiyuan County issued an announcement stating that, in order to cut off the spread of the epidemic through public areas, Huaiyuan County will conduct 7 consecutive days of disinfection for main urban roads from July 17 to 23 (21:00-24:00 every day), using 'Barrel Spray Trucks' with peracetic acid.

↑ Picture for reference. "Barrel Spray Trucks" were originally used for noise and dust reduction by sanitation worker. During the epidemic prevention period, they were used to spray disinfectants in many cities.

Public information shows that, peracetic acid is a strong oxidant. When the concentration is too high, it can stimulate, damage the skin and mucous membranes, and corrode various materials. Therefore, workers must strictly follow the use standards when spraying disinfection with diluted peracetic acid. However, it still triggered discussions among netizens about whether the disinfection would bring harm to human health and environmental pollution, and questioned whether the disinfection in Huaiyuan County was "excessive epidemic prevention".

Huaiyuan County has reminded in the announcement that, residents are advised to close their doors and windows before 20:30 during the spraying day, and those living along the roads should avoid going out.

↑ Picture for reference.

In the latest "Technical Guidelines for Disinfection for Origins with COVID-19 epidemic" issued by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, it is clear that for the disinfection of environmental surfaces, disinfectants including diluted peracetic acid can be wiped, sprayed or soaked for disinfection. Same as other proven safe and effective physical disinfection methods or harmless treatment methods.

However in the "Guidelines for the Use of Disinfectants" issued by the National Health Commission in February 2020, it was mentioned that, diluted peracetic acid disinfectants are suitable for disinfection of surfaces, indoor air, skin wounds, and corrosion-resistant medical devices.