EPA again expands list of disinfectants that can help stop spread of coronavirus

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has further updated a list of registered disinfectants that can help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cleaning products on its sortable, searchable database to more than 350.

Although many of the newly added disinfectants have not been tested specifically against SARS-CoV-2 – the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 – EPA anticipates their effectiveness based on a “demonstrated efficacy” against harder-to-kill viruses and another similar human coronavirus, or advancement through the agency’s Emerging Viral Pathogens program.

An April 2 EPA press release states that the list now includes products with proven effectiveness against norovirus and the Ebola virus, as these products also meet agency criteria for combating SARS-CoV-2.

According to EPA, coronaviruses – named for the crownlike spikes on their surfaces – are enveloped viruses and therefore “one of the easiest types” of viruses to eliminate with proper disinfectant use.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using gloves when cleaning or disinfecting surfaces suspected of containing SARS-CoV-2. EPA adds that consumers should follow directions for use on product labels and closely monitor a product’s contact time on the surface being treated.