KUALA LUMPUR – In the wake of viral messages urging nano disinfecting spray users to stop using it on humans, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has clarified that it is indeed not suitable for direct use on people.
In a press statement, he said that the Health Ministry (MoH) is concerned about the safety and effectiveness of using the nano mist spray as a disinfectant, noting that it is intended for disinfection on physical surfaces in the environment.
“Recently, the nano mist spray has begun to gain public attention for use as a disinfectant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Many people think that the use of this tool can eliminate virus that are airborne and on surfaces.
“However, the effectiveness of the use of nano mist spray for disinfection depends on the ability of the device to produce a uniform spray on a surface; the type and concentration of disinfection solution used; as well as the duration of exposure.
He warned that if used directly on humans, the solution can irritate the eyes, skin, respiratory tract and even the digestive system.
He said that at present, most of the existing disinfectant solutions contain 70% to 90% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, thymol, quaternary ammonia, and even chlorine-based solutions.
“They are effective in killing SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces,” he said.
The fear of having the airborne Covid-19 virus land on clothes and skin has driven many to purchase the nano mist spray gun, a device that can produce fine nano-sized droplets.
Dr Noor Hisham clarified that the tool is manufactured for a variety of purposes including cosmetics, fragrances and a variety of domestic as well as industrial purposes.
MoH, through the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Division, has issued guidelines for the registration of surface disinfectants.
He noted that these guidelines also describe the requirements for disinfectant labelling.
These tools are currently on sale on online platforms, going from RM20 to RM150 per unit.
Some even claim on the labels that their products are approved by MoH and the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Dr Noor Hisham emphasised that even after spraying disinfection through nano mist, one still must complete the cleaning with manual surface disinfection. – The Vibes, September 21, 2021
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