Disinfectant Products Undergo Testing

PDI Healthcare is testing several of its disinfectant products for efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, for submission to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  for approval.

Partnering with Microbac Laboratories, Inc. for testing, PDI's products could become among those with demonstrated effectiveness against the novel coronavirus.

Microbac Laboratories is one of the only testing laboratories in the United States with the required experience and capabilities to test the efficacy of disinfectants against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to PDI. Testing the efficacy of disinfectants against a virus involves several steps. First, the lab will apply the virus to a surface and let it dry. Then, it will apply one of PDI’s products to the surface, recover the liquid, put it back into cell culture and test whether the virus is still infectious. 

To date, infection prevention experts have been looking to the EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogens Program for guidance on what products may work as disinfectants, based on knowledge of similar pathogens. The program is intended to bridge the gap when outbreaks occur, giving laboratories time to acquire the novel virus for product testing. Until an official announcement is made, disinfectants found on the EPA’s List N should continue to be used according to their label instructions.