Do you know the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting and sanitizing?

    Do you know the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting and sanitizing?

    With the COVID-19 outbreak, we hear and use these terms often, but are we sure we know the difference?

    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

    In recent times, with the COVID-19 emergency, we often hear and use these terms; however our familiarity does not guarantee the correct use of each term. Knowing the difference could help improve our prevention actions.





    Among the measures useful to protect us from the new coronavirus, regular sanitation followed by the disinfection of environments and surfaces play a crucial role in preventing and containing the spread of the virus. Although in this period we listen to the terms of cleaning every daya, sanitation, disinfection and sanitation, there is still confusion between their meanings.

    The Report "Ad interim recommendations on the sanitation of non-health facilities in the current COVID-19 emergency: surfaces, interiors and clothing" of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità helps us to clarify the difference between these procedures. Let's learn to differentiate them:

    Cleaning

    Cleaning could be considered the simplest or most basic procedure. It consists in eliminating visible dirt using detergent / sanitizing products for the environment - the two terms are equivalent - which remove dirt by mechanical or physical action. 

    sanitation

    It is the equivalent of the cleansing, has the purpose of making it hygienic, that is to clean the environment by eliminating the harmful substances present, with a consequent reduction of the microbial load. This action is a mandatory intervention before disinfecting and sterilizing, because the dirt is rich in microorganisms that multiply actively and could compromise the activity of the disinfectants.

    The products without the indication of the authorization of the Ministry of Health that show on the label indications on their activities, such as "against germs and bacteria", are not products with demonstrated disinfectant activity but are simple sanitizers, commonly called detergents.

    Disinfection

    Process for breaking down the microbial load of an environment, surface and / or instrument. Products are used for disinfection activities disinfectants (biocides or medical-surgical aids) authorized by the Ministry of Health, whose effectiveness against various microorganisms, such as viruses, must be compulsorily declared on the label.



    Sanitizing

    It represents a complex of procedures and operations that includes cleaning and / or disinfection activities that are to be understood "as a set of interconnected activities" such as cleaning and disinfection.

    Now we know the difference between these procedures and the distinction between disinfectant products - which can boast properties against microorganisms - and detergent or sanitizing products - which cannot boast a disinfectant action - and therefore should not be confused at all.

    Always remember that, in addition to periodic and thorough cleaning, it is important to frequently change the air inside the rooms and follow the instructions for containing the spread of the virus: wash your hands frequently, use a mask, respect the safety distance, avoid every gathering.

    Read also:

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    • Covid-19, you don't have to disinfect all your shopping (just wash your hands)
    • Disinfecting and sanitizing the streets does not help fight the coronavirus. For the WHO, this is a useless and harmful practice
    • With these tricks you will be able to eliminate soap and encrustations in the joints of the tiles without effort

     



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