I don’t think that is entirely accurate.  Antimicrobial refers to all microbes, not just bacteria. 

 

FDA is recommending hand sanitizers with ethanol or isopropanol for use against SARS-COV-2.  Since hand sanitizers are regulated as Over-The-Counter Drugs by the monograph system, they are not allowed to make anti-viral claims.  FDA (and the CDC) is putting out a mixed message about the effectiveness of hand sanitizers against viruses since they can’t make anti-viral claims but are encouraging the use of alcohol-hand sanitizers during the pandemic.

 

EPA’s List N has disinfectants for use against SARS-COV-2.  These disinfectants are registered for use against specific viruses, and because they demonstrate efficacy against “harder to kill” viruses or similar coronaviruses, EPA expects these disinfectants to work.  Some of these disinfectants have active ingredients that are used in non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds).  But FDA is not using the EPA FIFRA anti-viral data that is available since that is about surfaces and not hand sanitation.  But I think that if we accept that certain active ingredients work on hard surfaces, there is a possibility that they would also be effective on hands.  FDA just doesn’t want to get entangled in that right now.

 

Best regards,

Jim

 

James Kim | Vice President, Science & Regulatory Affairs | American Cleaning Institute®
1401 H St, NW Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 | p: 202.662.2516 | c: 202.680.4849

jkim**At_Symbol_Here**cleaninginstitute.org           

 

 

 

Antimicrobials are for use against bacteria. They have no use against viruses.  In the present situation, where people are concerned about the chance of touch transmission of viral disease, seeking to apply them would be a waste of scarce resources.

 

 

Peter Zavon, CIH
Penfield, NY

PZAVON**At_Symbol_Here**Rochester.rr.com

 

 

 

Hi Everyone,

Copying a question I saw in another group, does anyone have used antimicrobial-type tapes for highly touched areas?

Can you share your thoughts?

Thank you,

Alessandra

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------

Alessandra Hunt, Ph.D.

 

Safety Technologist

Office Of Environmental Health & Safety

4000 Collins Rd, B-20

Lansing, MI 48910

Phone: 517-353-2443

Email: alehunt**At_Symbol_Here**msu.edu

 

 

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