Lysol Products Are the First EPA-Approved Surface Disinfectants for COVID-19

Earlier this month, EPA approved two Lysol brand disinfecting sprays as the first products tested to effectively destroy  SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, on hard, non-porous surfaces. This paves the way for more disinfectants to be approved in the future.

The two approved products are Lysol Disinfectant Spray (EPA #777-99) and Lysol Disinfectant Spray Max Cover Mist (EPA #777-127). EPA currently has a list of over 400 products the agency expects to be effective against the virus. However, these new approvals come after independent, third-party lab testing to prove the Lysol products could eliminate the virus from hard, non-porous surfaces in under two minutes.

“EPA’s review of products tested against this virus marks an important milestone in President Trump’s all-of-government approach to fighting the spread of COVID-19,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

Now that these products have made it through clinical testing, more products will likely be approved in the coming weeks and months.
 

EPA’s Role in Registering Disinfectants

EPA will not register a disinfectant until it has been determined that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the label directions. Products not registered by EPA can be harmful to human health, cause adverse effects, and may not be effective against the spread of germs, bacteria, and viruses.

EPA also prohibits public health claims in the advertising and labeling of these products until they have been properly tested and are registered with the US government.

Because novel viruses are often not readily available for laboratory testing, EPA established guidance for Emerging Viral Pathogens, enabling EPA to approve new claims in as little as 14 days. EPA began using this new guidance in January 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This allows disinfectant manufacturers to provide EPA with data that shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses than the novel coronavirus.

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