With new variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 emerging in the United States, the public is left frantic with fear. Some of you may be wondering if current cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be as effective. Thankfully, the EPA has recently reported that the disinfectants on List N can kill these newer strains. The EPA, also known as the Environmental Protection Agency, is a federal government agency committed to protecting human health and the environment. As part of the EPA’s mission, they review the safety of chemicals available in the marketplace, which ties into the current pandemic. This blog post will be going over important information regarding disinfectants on the EPA’s List N.

According to the EPA, products registered as antimicrobial pesticides kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides. Two commonly used antimicrobial pesticides are sanitizers and disinfectants. A separate federal agency, known as the Food and Drug Administration regulates sanitizers.

Surface disinfectant products go through more testing and must pass a higher clearance than surface sanitizing products. No surface sanitizing products have approved virus claims, and therefore do not make it onto the EPA’s List N.

What is the EPA’s List N

In March 2020, the EPA compiled List N― a list of disinfectants containing certain chemicals approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This list has since been made available to the public.

The EPA created List N to guide the public in buying the proper disinfectants to kill SARS-CoV-2 effectively. As of right now, there are over 500 approved disinfectant products available for use.

What Types of Disinfectants does the EPA Approve to be on List N

For a disinfectant to become approved on List N, the EPA states that they must:

  • Demonstrate efficacy against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2;
  • Demonstrate efficacy against a pathogen that is harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2; or
  • Demonstrate efficacy against a different human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2

For information regarding the differences between types of disinfectants, check out the EPA’s explanation by clicking here.

Why is This List Important for People to Know About

List N is important because it contains scientific data to back up the disinfectants on the list. The information on List N includes active ingredients, contact time, surface type, use site, and most importantly― why that disinfectant made it onto the list. The public can use these details to help choose the appropriate disinfectant.

Talk to Trained Disinfectant Cleaning Professionals

If you’re ready for an exceptional team to disinfect and sanitize your facility, don’t hesitate to Integrity Janitorial Cleaning Services. We provide commercial disinfection and janitorial services, including COVID-19 Deep Cleaning Solutions for retail spaces, offices, medical offices, gyms, warehouses, and many other settings. You can trust that our technicians will treat every surface so that your employees—as well as your customers or clients—stay happy and healthy. Give us a call today (404) 530 0811 or contact us for a free consultation.