EPA Discusses Disinfectants That Will Fight New Super Strains of COVID-19

Published January 27, 2021

In December 2020, a new mutant strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was reported. It became the most common version of the coronavirus, accounting for about 60 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the UK. The mutations in the new strain seem to affect the coronavirus’s spike proteins and may potentially make the mutated version “sticky” and more easily transmitted.

Its discovery has raised questions: Is the coronavirus more contagious now? Will the vaccines still work? Are there new or different things you should do now to keep your family safe? Studies are still being done, but luckily according to the EPA, the same disinfectants already proven to fight SARS-CoV-2 will also work against the mutated super spreader version B.1.1.7.

ef=”https://twitter.com/EPA/status/1349834958442016770?s=20″ target=”_blank” rel=”follow noopener noreferrer” aria-label=”official Twitter account for US EPAs List N Disinfectants”>official Twitter account – the disinfectants listed on List N have proven to be successful at fighting all known strains of the coronavirus that cause COVID-19, including B.1.1.7 (or also named the UK variant). The new variant has appeared in over 10 states and continues its rapid transmission across the US.

In 2020, the EPA created List N to help advise the public about which disinfectants would be able to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The list has over five hundred different chemical solutions and is updated on a regular basis.

In order to qualify, the disinfectant must (when used according to label directions):

Demonstrate efficacy against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19);
Demonstrate efficacy against a pathogen that is harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); or
Demonstrate efficacy against a different human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The EPA expects all products on List N to kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and its new strains, when used according to the label directions.

For information on how to use these chemicals, Flagship listed the top tips directly from expert disinfection professionals. Learn what custodians who clean for some of the biggest facilities in the country focus on to make sure their commercial facilities are clean, disinfected and safe for employees and visitors.