Protocols for Disinfection Efficacy on COVID-19

As of the date of this writing (March 13, 2020), there is currently no EPA recognized test protocol to evaluate disinfection efficacy against this specific novel coronavirus virus strain, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), which causes COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). Therefore, there is no EPA-registered surface disinfectant that bares a label claim against SARS-CoV-2 as of the date of this writing.

All coronavirus strains are enveloped viral particles that belong to the same virus family of Coronaviridae. Enveloped viral particles are typically more susceptible to chemical disinfectant formulations than are other pathogens¹.

CDC’s interim recommendations for infection prevention and control now state that the use of EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants are appropriate for SARS-CoV-2 in the healthcare settings.² The following Metrex products meet this guideline:

• CaviWipes
• CaviCide
• CaviWipes1
• CaviCide1
• CaviWipes Bleach
• CaviCide Bleach

The CDC also refers to the EPA’s List N that lists EPA-registered disinfectants products with Emerging Viral Pathogens and Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2. This list is actively being updated by the EPA to include additional disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria.³

Refer to any updates on the EPA’s List N here:

www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

The following Metrex products have been included onto the EPA’s List N: ³

• CaviCide⁸
• CaviWipes1⁴
• CaviCide1⁵
• CaviWipes Bleach⁶
• CaviCide Bleach

The table below gives an overview of the information discussed above:

REFERENCES:

1. Sattar, S. “Hierarchy of Susceptibility of Viruses to Environmental Surface Disinfectants: A Predictor of Activity Against new and Emerging Viral Pathogens”. Journal of AOAC International. 2007. Vol 90.6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5657319_Hierarchy_of_Susceptibility_of_Viruses_to_Environmental_Surface_Disinfectants_A_Predictor_of_Activity_Against_New_and_Emerging_Viral_Pathogens. Accessed 3.3.2020.
2. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control.html. Accessed 3.11.2020.
3. List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.
   https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. Accessed 3.11.2020
4. CaviWipes1 Master Label from retrieved from EPA’s Pesticide Product and Label System. https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:8:::NO::P8_PUID,P8_RINUM:504032,46781-13. Accessed 3.3.2020.
5. CaviCide1 Master Label from retrieved from EPA’s Pesticide Product and Label System. https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:8:::NO::P8_PUID,P8_RINUM:503807,46781-12. Accessed 3.3.2020.
6. 7. CaviWipes Bleach Master Label from retrieved from EPA’s Pesticide Product and Label System. https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:8:::NO::P8_PUID,P8_RINUM:521508,46781-14. Accessed 3.3.2020.
7. CaviCide Bleach Master Label from retrieved from EPA’s Pesticide Product and Label System. https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:8:::NO::P8_PUID,P8_RINUM:522158,46781-15. Accessed 3.3.2020.
8. CaviCide Master Label from retrieved from EPA’s Pesticide Product and Label System. https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:8:::NO::P8_PUID,P8_RINUM:27348,46781-6. Accessed 3.3.2020.
9. Xu et. al., Systematic Comparison of Two Animal-to-Human Transmitted Human Coronaviruses: SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, Viruses 2020, 12, 244, doi:10.3390/v12020244.