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DOH: Misting and fogging machines not recommended as disinfectants against COVID

Philippines | National

DOH: Misting and fogging machines not recommended as disinfectants against COVID

By Analou de Vera

The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public anew that the use of misting and fogging machines are not recommended as disinfectants against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

“The routine application of disinfectants to environmental surfaces by spraying or fogging in indoor spaces, also known as fumigation or misting, is not recommended for COVID-19,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a recent online forum.

“It can cause harm, it can cause aerosolization of the virus, meaning the virus can stay longer in the air if we use these kinds of technologies—ito pong mga (these are) misting and fogging,” she added.

Vergeire said that this recommendation was already issued last April and this is in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Doon sa sinasabing rekomendasyon ng WHO—it may cause more harm than good kaya hindi po natin iyan nirerekomenda (There is a WHO recommendation saying that it may cause more harm than good, so we do not recommend that),” she said.

The Health official, meanwhile, said devices that do not emit smoke or mist may be safe to use as an extra layer of protection against COVID-19, like the air purifier necklaces.

President Duterte is among the personalities that are spotted wearing an air purifier necklace.

“Wala naman akong nakikitang lumalabas na mga usok o anything... I think it is not going to cause harm and then wala naman pong masama dyan (I don’t see any smoke coming out or anything... I think it is not going to cause harm, and there is nothing wrong with using it),” said Vergeire.

However, the best protection against COVID-19 would still be the practice of minimum health standards.

“Kung ikaw ay naka mask (If you are wearing a mask), you are protected and you are prevented from being infected,” said Vergeire.

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