I would imagine many, if not most, of us feel that leaders in a product space would constantly look to provide the safest version of theirs goods. The phrases “Green”, “Sustainable”, “Not Tested on Animals” and have become quite popular, and not just as mechanisms for marketing, but actual change through many industries. Progress and awareness in most product category life cycles has started to shift our world towards a brighter, more naturally beautiful, future.

So why are many of us left with the feeling that this movement and effort has not quite landed, before now, in the cleaning chemical & disinfecting world? There really is only one simple answer, not theories or myths, just the obvious gaping void and even interest in…education. Quite specifically education on chemicals such as, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, the most common active ingredient family in disinfectants today. If the active ingredient ends in “onium” and involves a chloride there is a pretty safe bet it’s a “Quat”.

Quaternary ammonium compounds, also called quats or QACs, are a group of chemicals used for a variety of purposes including as preservatives, surfactants, antistatic agents and as active ingredients in disinfectants and sanitizers.

Quats can be highly effective at killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and are found in many common disinfectant products. ~ ChemicalSafetyFacts.org

There are some well known reactions to the types of accidental exposure one would expect.

Direct consumer contact with quats can occur through product spillage and may cause skin dermatitis, or inflammation, and eye and mucus membrane irritation. Workplace exposure may cause asthma symptoms. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org

And of course there are some guidelines for how to avoid improper contact.

Public health experts have made several safety recommendations to mitigate potential effects of exposure to quats. People using products containing quats should follow the label instructions and use it only for its intended purpose.  As with most cleaning products, products containing quats should be stored in their original containers and not mixed with other cleaning products. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org

Mostly just letting you know to read every label and follow the specific guidelines provided, which most commonly look like this direct from Lysol;

Only use on hard, non-porous surfaces

To clean / remove allergens:

Use fresh wipe on surface.

For surfaces that come in contact with food, rinse thoroughly with water.

Repeat for stubborn stains.

To sanitize / disinfect:

Pre-clean surface.

Use enough fresh wipes to thoroughly wet surface.

To sanitize:

Allow to remain wet for 10 seconds.

To disinfect:

Allow to remain wet for 4 minutes.

Allow surface to air dry. Toss dirty wipe away.

To prevent the growth of mold and mildew and their odors:

Pre-clean hard, non-porous surface

Wipe surface and allow to remain wet for 10 minutes

Allow surface to air dry

Repeat applications in weekly intervals or when mold and mildew growth appears

Pay close attention to the first instructions, “For Surfaces that come in contact with food, rinse thoroughly with water”. The CDC has advised that 1 out of 3 adults use disinfecting products in a harmful manner. As a part of that survey, 20% of respondents to the survey reported using household cleaners to clean or disinfect their bare skin, and there are a few more surprises worth taking a look at in that report.

Don’t skip over the disinfecting instructions at the bottom of that list, and read carefully, because if you want to fully disinfect a surface it this is important. According to this product and many similar you must leave the surface visibly wet for 4 -10 minutes depending on how much you want to disinfect. Are we doing that? How many of us are aware of this proper usage guidance?

There are four type of pathogen efficacy (kill) we look for with disinfectants (in Hospitality and Foodservice); Bactericidal, Virucidal, Fungicidal, and Tuberculocidal. Some formulas may only even kill some of these no matter how long you leave it on a surface. Others will list different times you have to leave on the surface, a few with pretty specific coverage guidelines. Not to mention commonly missed warnings like, “Not for use on Medical Devices”. where disinfecting wipes tend to get usage regularly.

The huge influx of brands, has seen many company sub-registering their formulas with companies trying to turn a fast buck on new disinfecting needs. Product labels are suffering with inaccuracy and misleading marketing terms, we have seen “X-Ray Apron Disinfectant Wipes” that are not for use on “Medical Devices”, just sounds off.

Top level risks to “Quat” usage is absolutely a concern, however with the current usage rate, long-term effects are now a bigger factor. Testing with mice has revealed some more than concerning results in fertility and neural tube development, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly. These types of development issues in humans are linked to some of our most challenging diagnosis today, including Autism.

Put this on top of other known side effects including respiratory issues, dermatitis (skin rashes), and being an eye irritant; it seems like a hefty price to pay for a low-level disinfectant.

With all that being the case it is very clear that, especially in today’s environment, there will be an increase in improper exposure to disinfectants. In properties like Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants you have the very obvious variable of your patrons. Standard exposure is one thing but exposure of individuals who may have a sensitivity to the products or even pregnant should be everyone’s actual concern.

Imagine your cleaning team has just completed disinfecting surfaces of some public spaces or your lobby team is admittedly keeping their countertops disinfected. With children likely in the environment, what is the chance they may touch or even put their mouths on a surface they shouldn’t. Are they paying attention to recently disinfected signage?

This case scenario may happen more than we like to admit, but we all know it happens and we should be vigilant in the products we put into our Hospitality and Foodservice spaces for this very reason.

By the trend, safer to use chemicals are generally a bit harder to get in Hospitality and Foodservice Distribution, not because of any manufacturing issues or shipping congestion. The lead driving factor in this area beyond education is “voice”, and not much is given to “safer” products when compared to their flagship relatives. Leading brands in this category DO have “safer” chemicals as part of their portfolio, but they usually are just that, and a small part to beat.

There are a handful of “niche” cleaning chemical companies with a main line focus on safer and more sustainable products. Unfortunately, competing with the resources of market juggernauts is a daunting task, and acquisition usually sits you in that “other” part of the portfolio. More recent styles of democratized marketing through social media and other mediums offers more opportunity for alternative chemical messaging, but is it enough?

Plenty of programs have been put together to highlight products which are government, non-profit driven, and otherwise:

• EPA Safer Choice / Designed for Environment (DfE)
• ECO Logo

• Green Seal
• Complete U.S. Eco Label Listing