Covid-19 and Fogging
Bio-fogging – a.k.a. chemical fogging – is a tried-and-true method of cleaning interior areas in buildings and homes. This treatment, which traditionally only involved comprehensive sanitation of the food industry and hospitals, isn’t as expensive as it used to be. In fact, these days, the treatment is being used just about everywhere.
There are a number of aspects that are boosting its appeal. Technological advancements in chemical treatments are nothing short of remarkable. In the past, bonding was made with agents that were phenol-based, as well as formaldehyde and elements of ammonium. Not very many of these compounds were evaluated to determine what their potential impact on our health would be. Many of those chemicals were toxic – some of which damaged materials on contact! Fortunately, biocidal advancements have sidestepped these issues and made bio-fogging more effective and safer than ever.
Most of the rising demand for better sanitation services and infection control can be attributed to the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic. Society as a whole is now completely mindful of the potential risks that come with this virus. With heightened risk at an all-time high, hand sanitizers aren’t just in washrooms and hospitals anymore. Antiviral sanitisation services are being used on residential and commercial premises alike.
Fogging: What Is It?
The actual term “fogging” is a little misleading, as no actual fog is created by the standard process. A mild mist is produced by wet or chemical fogging. Alternatively, dry fogging – which is mostly conducted in areas containing electrical equipment – fills the room with smoke.
The Principles of Each Method
The fog/mist’s biocide particles are small enough to remain airborne and eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air. Pathogens on floors, furniture, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces are also killed-off by the biocide.
One of the benefits of fogging is its ability to reach areas hard to get to. For the most part, it will be unnecessary to reposition equipment or furniture during (for before) the fogging process.
Historically, the chemicals that were used for fogging treatments negatively impacted fabrics, metal, and plastic, resulting in gradual corrosion. Such problems are now a thing of the past.
How Safe and Practical Is Fogging?
The process of bio-fogging is efficient and fast. Once upon a time, the process warranted the treatment area to be shut down for a while – possibly even days. Today, sanitation lasts minutes. The area being treated must be cleared out before any work begins. To minimize disruption, endeavor to have fogging done overnight or during non-business hours.
Although there is no toxicity associated with the biocide, some people may develop an allergic reaction if they remain in the area that bio-fogging is taking place in. Those performing the fogging will wear relevant PPE attire before being exposed to the agent.
We are partial to an antimicrobial that is water-based, environmentally friendly, non-corrosive, odorless, and transparent. No rinsing should be involved in the execution of treatment. There won’t be any special requirements for storage or handling, or for spillage protection.
How Effective Is It?
Effective biocides target a vast array of microbes. Chemical fogging has the ability to eliminate pathogens of all types (based on a variety of tests conducted).
We suggest using a quartet of biocides as part of the treatment. That way, a bacterium that is resistant to one particular agent will then be killed off by at least one of the other three. Some of the microbes bio-fogging will eliminate include Legionella pneumophilia, salmonella, listeria, C. difficile, MRSA, E. coli, and of course, Coronaviruses.
Are There Any Downsides of Fogging?
Bio-fogging, in our opinion, is a very effective solution, as far as sanitation techniques go. However, there are some things you should be mindful of.
A comprehensive cleaning will be necessary before the process begins. If no cleaning is done ahead of treatment, the effect of the technique may be hindered. A biocide vapor must come into contact with surface microorganisms in order to eliminate them. If debris, damp patches, dirt, or other materials cover-up surface areas, they probably won’t get sanitized. As such, we highly encourage having a comprehensive cleaning to be conducted before the bio-fogging process begins.
Cost will need to be taken into consideration. Fogging isn’t cheap. In fact, the chemicals used in this treatment are far costlier than standard cleaning solutions.
With that said, fogging is actually quite cost-efficient. The sanitation technique doesn’t take very long, this results in minimal disruption, and the effect is long-lasting.
Where and When Can Fogging Be Done?
Outbreaks like Covid-19 is when fogging will mostly be necessary. Keeping the advantages of sanitation in mind, though, as well as the cost of lost time and output on businesses in the event of an infection, we suggest bio-fogging a couple of times annually in order to optimize protection levels.
This is particularly germane advice for areas where people are more susceptible to viral infections or bacteria. Such places include nurseries or retirement homes. They could also include residence halls at universities and other educational institutions.
Sanitation measures like bio-fogging should be factored in when planning for contingencies. Timing must also be factored in, particularly when risks are heightened, like during the winter. Granted, some viruses do not discriminate against seasons, such as the case of the swine flu pandemic.
Each one of us has a responsibility to clean and manage the buildings people live, visit, study, or work in. Virus attacks must be held at bay (or repelled if they can’t be eliminated outright).
How Effective Is Antiviral Sanitation Against Coronaviruses like Covid-19?
The treatment we use to disinfect surfaces is effective against coronaviruses. You can expect our treatment to be just as effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which kickstarted the entire Covid-19 pandemic.
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