Sponsored by Decon7 Systems
By Rachel Zoch, Police1 BrandFocus Staff
The health risks associated with the novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, are quite serious and widespread. By April 21, 2020, more than 820,000 people in the U.S. had tested positive for the virus, and more than 44,000 of them – including police officers and other first responders – had died from the disease.
We know that washing your hands is a critical step in the fight against spreading the virus, but we also know that it’s not enough, especially when most policing tasks can’t be accomplished from a distance of 6 feet.
So what can police officers and agencies do to protect themselves in the midst of a pandemic?
Decon7 Systems provides a patented formula that can neutralize infectious hazards, including viruses. This EPA-registered disinfectant has received official designation from the EPA for effectively killing the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.
The solution, originally developed for the U.S. Department of Defense, has proved effective against various contaminants and is available in a ready-to-use unit as well as bulk liquid.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Viruses are not exactly “alive,” but they are parasitic, using living hosts (like us) to reproduce. To understand how to break down viruses, think of an egg. Each virus has an outer shell, made of proteins and fats, that surrounds and protects the genetic material inside. Those proteins also help the virus attach to and infect host cells. To “kill” the virus, that protective coat must be chemically “cracked open” or broken down. This is where Decon7 Systems comes in.
“We know that in order to effectively kill this virus, disinfectants need to not only break down the viral coat, but also penetrate and render the RNA inactive,” said Dr. Mark Tucker, Decon7’s chief scientific officer. “Bleach and other disinfectants cannot get past the viral coat; however, D7 has a detergent component that will break down that coat of mucus and/or saliva.”
The three-part D7 formula, like most broad-spectrum disinfectant products, must be mixed at the time of use. The disinfectant can be applied on hard, nonporous and porous surfaces via foaming apparatus, low-pressure sprayers, mopping and soaking systems, and it has been found effective for use in a variety of environments, from hospitals to household kitchens and bathrooms.
The solution, which is quick to deploy and does not require scrubbing, can effectively disinfect surfaces by decomposing pathogens like the novel coronavirus in a matter of minutes.
Why D7 is better than bleach
The D7 formula offers several advantages over other decontamination solutions, such as bleach and peracetic acid, says Tucker, which can be effective on some hazards but also corrosive and toxic. In particular, he cautions, bleach may be a poor choice when it comes to the coronavirus.
Although bleach solutions can neutralize many biological and chemical agents, these aqueous formulations run down walls and vertical surfaces, making it difficult to achieve the contact time needed to effectively disinfect the area. Because the D7 solution creates foam, it keeps the disinfectant in contact with surfaces for extended periods of time, including vertical and overhead surfaces.
“Because bleach is only available in aqueous formulations, it doesn’t penetrate into porous surfaces very well,” said Tucker. “Also, bleach is not as effective at removing organic loading, such as grease, grime and biofilms, so it may not actually come into contact with bacteria and viruses. The detergents in D7 allow it to penetrate through organic material and kill bacteria and viruses.”
Hydrogen peroxide is a key active ingredient of D7, and the detergents not only help the formula cut through grease, grime and biofilms, they also enable it to break easily into droplets that can get into contaminated nooks and crannies that are hard to reach and clean. This allows the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate to the interior of the contaminants for a complete kill, says Tucker.
Also, unlike bleach, the D7 disinfectant formula is safe to apply on a variety of surfaces, including plastics and metals, and it creates no noxious fumes or odors.
Although D7 complies with environmental regulations, it is not FDA-approved for skin application. Users should wear gloves and goggles, plus a mask and protective clothing when applying the solution in close quarters.