UV-C LED Disinfection Light Versus Enhanced Liquid Disinfection Practices

Compare UV-C Disinfection To Enhanced Liquid Disinfection Practices On High-Touch Surfaces

Everywhere in our daily lives, we encounter multiple surfaces that have been previously touched by someone else. High-touch surfaces are found everywhere — and in the office, we see more and more computer workstations being shared by many people. These surfaces have recently been touched by someone else and are not routinely cleaned, or if they have been, there is a high likelihood that the instructions on the cleaning products they are using were not followed.

Hard Surface Disinfectants

To reduce the potential for COVID-19 virus contamination in nonhealthcare settings, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends high-touch surfaces in publicly accessible buildings, businesses, and restaurants be routinely disinfected. Read WHO Recommendations.

With the onslaught of COVID-19, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) has established guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes. These guidelines state frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected before each use. View this document from the CDC regarding cleaning and disinfecting guidelines.

Viral Transmission

Direct contact with an infected person and their respiratory droplets, expelled during coughing, sneezing, speaking, or breathing, is the primary transmission mode for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. To summarize the American Society for Microbiology’s definition of respiratory viral disease spread, these droplets can be inhaled or become deposited on surfaces such as door handles, light switches, chairs, faucets, and other frequently touched surfaces.

Studies like this one published in The Journal Of Hospital Infection state that SARS-CoV-2 has been found to remain viable on surfaces like metal, glass, and plastic for several days, with other studies finding viability for up to 9 days.

In the CDC’s scientific brief regarding indoor environments, surface disinfection has been shown to be effective for preventing secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between an infected person and other people. Until the risk of COVID-19 transmission is understood and further studies of virus survival and clinical evidence of high-touch transmission are available, continued efforts to frequently clean and disinfect environmental surfaces are needed (ISSN 0048-9697).