Since the coronavirus was first confirmed in the United States and soon spread like wildfire, authorities have emphasized the importance of social distancing, wearing a mask, home quarantine, and observe sanitary practices. However, Americans may have been taking it too far with using cleaners and disinfectants as a study showed how 39% of surveyed individuals have resulted in risky practices such as gargling bleach.
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted an online panel survey of 502 adults. reporting exposure to disinfectants and cleaners since COVID-19 arrived in the country. Participants shared how they were cleaning their homes more frequently because of coronavirus but only 50% of the adults really knew how to properly and safely disinfect their households.
The CDC wanted to identify the gaps in knowledge and misinformation regarding the safe use, preparation, and storage of disinfectants and cleaners. Concern over people's limited knowledge of proper cleaning solution preparation was the biggest issue.
71% confirmed that they know to use gloves as recommended by some products and even had other protective equipment. 68% knew that it was necessary to wash their hands after using cleaning solutions.
Risky Habits
While most were knowledgeable that small children should not have access to hand sanitizer, only 54% of the people knew the proper places to keep it out of reach for children and 79% responded that cleaners and disinfectants should be hidden from children.
Only 23% of the participants knew that room temperature must be used to dilute bleach solutions. 35% know that bleach and vinegar should not be mixed and 58% knew that bleach should not be added with ammonia.
The rest of the results from the survey were somewhat disturbing. Poison centers all over the country have increased in calls and this was perhaps why. More than 30% of the participants were evident of having risky habits.
Some admitted to using household cleaning products and disinfectants as a body wash. 10% use a disinfectant or cleaning solution as a body mist. Others have added bleach to their meals. Moreover, some have intentionally inhaled it and even gargled it as well as soapy water.
25% of the adults suffered from at least one adverse health effect as a result of harmful practices. Some have suffered from sinus, skin and eye irritations, dizziness, nausea, and even breathing problems.
Trusting the CDC
When asked who their most trusted source for cleaning and disinfecting regarding COVID-19 was, 65% responded that they trusted the CDC. The CDC created a detailed disinfection guideline for households with suspected or confirmed coronavirus earlier this year.
This was a response to discovering that 'transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, like doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, toys, etc.,' and may remain viable for hours or days on surfaces.
General recommendations included following label instructions, wearing gloves, and having good ventilation while using products. Cleaning high-touch surfaces should be done daily. Other details included labeling diluted solutions, avoid mixing chemicals, use eye protection for as an extra precaution, proper bleach solution ratios, and cleaning one's hands after the use of chemicals.
The CDC also said that continuing education campaigns on household cleaning and disinfection is important, especially understanding how to safely clean while they are home.
