Page 58 - CleanIndiaJournal October Digital Issue

Service MatterS

Does your product really kill viruses?

Many products claim to be virucidal. Now, an Indian research centre
with years of microbiological expertise can validate such claims as true.

ffective disinfection Hence, the evaluation of War on viruses
and sanitisation are antimicrobial efficacy of a product
mandatory in several areas is an extremely important task Viruses are known to persist in
of healthcare facilities, which should be left to laboratories the environment on various surfaces
Ehomes, schools, hotels, and personnel who are scientifically for longer durations ranging from
commercial kitchens etc. This and technically trained, and have hours to days or weeks. They can
ensures inactivation of pathogens adequate experience in complying potentially form a continuous
(bacteria, fungus, and viruses) in with the said procedures. source of transmission, if adequate
the treated area, and also curtails cleaning and inactivation regimes
the transfer of pathogens from one Defined standards using effective formulation are not
location/person to the other. followed. Various outbreaks of
Most methods used for evaluating infectious disease have been linked
Hygiene arsenal antimicrobial efficacy have been with fomite-mediated transmission
through humans by touching
defined by European Standards
There are readily available (EN) and American Society for contaminated objects (fomite).
guidelines, recommendations, Testing and Materials (ASTM)
and procedures for conducting protocols. These methods cover Test-in-India
instrument, surface and hand a range of products for various
disinfection defined by WHO, applications (viz. disinfectants, To ensure that a given formulation
CDC, ICMR etc. During the sanitisers, surface/floor/kitchen/ is effective against viruses, its
pandemic, disinfectants and toilet cleaners) to evaluate biocidal virucidal activity is tested world-
sanitisers were at the forefront of activity, and are assessed for wide as per EN 14476 or by ASTM
defence against the SARS CoV-2 bactericidal (against bacteria), 1052. These tests are not offered
virus. Since then, a large number fungicidal (against fungi), readily in India, and so far, most
of companies manufacturing sporicidal (against spores) and industries were getting their product
tested from outside the country.
a variety of disinfectant-based virucidal (against viruses) activity. Now, this service is being offered by
cleaning products (synthetic as well Based on the proposed application,
as organic/herbal formulations) one can get the product tested Bhavan’s Research Center, Mumbai
which can be availed by the supplier
for home as well as institutional for understanding the germ kill and user industries to evaluate the
hygiene have appeared on the potential and accordingly market virucidal activity of products (Refer
market. the product for appropriate to Page 67 for more details about
application. virucidal testing).
Why validate?
Users today are more aware, and
conscious about the formulation
and efficacy of these products,
and they use these products with
a certain degree of trust and
confidence in their ability to control
pathogens. Thus, the responsibility
of confirming the effectiveness and
authenticity of the product with
regards to its biocidal activity lies
with the manufacturer; this includes
those products made by following
the WHO/US EPA recommended
formula as well.

OCTOBER 2023•Clean India Journal
58 www.cleanindiajournal.com