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We have seen the photos, in newspapers and on television. Men in protective masks and overalls, equipped with pistols. They are purposely advancing in a cloud of disinfectants and polluting everything that comes their way: the Iranian Qom temples, Istanbul’s street markets. Sidewalks of Shanghai, Seville train station.
Tanker trucks or trucks equipped with larger water cannon type spray guns will also be used, as well as drones.
What is sprayed or sprayed it is generally sodium hypochlorite or what is marketed in Sweden as chlorine diluted with water.
Is this an effective way to combat the new corona virus? If you ask experts in the Swedish research community, the answer is a clear no.
“There is no need,” says Agnes Wold, professor of clinical bacteriology. “Completely ineffective,” believes former state epidemiologist Johan Giesecke.
Disinfectant spray vehicles in central Moscow.
Photo: Yuri Kadobnov / AFP
Where is the nonsense?And why is the method so widespread after all? DN drops the matter to Åsa Melhus, professor of clinical bacteriology at Uppsala University and chief physician at Akademiska hospital.
– The virus is carried by tiny droplets in the air that form when you cough, sneeze, or speak. The drops become contagious when they come in contact with the eyes and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. There is very little risk of the infection spreading from outdoor objects, especially not from sidewalks, streets, bushes, and the bottom of doors where it is mainly sprayed. The blends of chlorine he uses are also not particularly effective for the environment in which they are used; Organic materials cause them to not work well, and UV light from the sun breaks them down, says Åsa Melhus.
– Furthermore, chlorine itself is harmful to the environment and to the human body. I imagine that those who walk and spray get vapors from this pesticide, even if they wear protective equipment, and it is really unhealthy.
The intention of generalized disinfection Public places may not be 100 percent effective even in countries where spraying is on the decline.
Recently, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired an interview with Zhang Liubo, a disinfection expert with China’s counterpart at the Public Health Authority. He requested restraint with the jet of chlorine. If the method is used too much, you risk serious environmental damage, said Zhang Liubo.
And the mayor of the small city of Zahara de la Sierra, in southern Spain, where the streets are sprayed twice a week, admits in an interview with CNN that the measure is more “creative of security” than effective.
“It helps create tranquility for our residents,” Mayor Santiago Gálvan told CNN.
Spraying in Pakistan.
Photo: Rizwan Tabassum / AFP
Professor Åsa Melhus’ Notes that a surprising amount of infection control worldwide is governed by ritual and tradition.
– As a researcher and expert you want to be “pk”, you do not like to go against a habit. And there are reasonable reasons why streets and sidewalks at night fill up with water in countries where the climate is warmer than here and where the population lives closer to each other. It simply keeps the streets clean of trash, urine, feces and other dirt. But that does not mean that this is an effective method to combat a virus that spreads by the drops.
– Also, spraying is probably a way to demonstrate action, to demonstrate that you are doing something concrete and powerful. When, in fact, it makes more sense to spend money on teaching hygiene, how to stay away from others and make sure there are enough hospital beds, Åsa Melhus says.
