SAN Francisco, Agusan del Sur–The local water utility here has offered local government units in the province free technical services on the proper use of the water-based chlorine disinfectant to combat the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We want to help capacitate local government units from the municipality down to the purok level on the right mixture of chlorine and water and the proper application when disinfecting open areas of their surroundings to keep it COVID-19 free,” said Elmer Luzon, general manager of San Francisco Water District (SFWD).
Over the years, the Department of Health has cited the SFWD laboratory with excellent rating for proficiency testing. Many private companies and government institutions sent samples to the laboratory for bacteriological, physical and chemical tests results.
Since last week, SFWD has been giving free bottles of ready-to-use chlorine disinfectants to their clients having transaction in their office.
As preventive measure, clients going inside the SFWD building are asked to step on the foot bath and wash their hands with soap and observe a meter of social distancing when queuing at the cashier windows to pay their water bills. 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol are available for use to everyone.
Luzon said it is important to have proper mixing of chlorine and water if only to totally eradicate COVID-19 living on the surface. “Improper mixture would just temporarily collapse the virus but not kill them,” he emphasized.
Ruben Jarabata, Jr., SFWD senior chemist, said the proper and scientific mixture is seven grams of chlorine granules for every liter of water which could totally disinfect the surroundings.
He recommended the municipal health office to regularly disinfect public place at least twice or even thrice a day to ensure that the dreaded virus cannot penetrate the municipality.
He however warned the chlorine disinfectant is not intended for hand washing and should be avoided on the skin and eye contact.
He advised those who will do the backpack spraying to wear protective gears such as goggles masks, gloves and aprons and be aware that it is harmful to aquatic environment and plants. He added the disinfectant can eliminate coronavirus on surfaces such as plastic tiles and ceramics.
He however remind sprayers to be careful when hitting metal surfaces because it is corrosive that it might damage metal surfaces of cars and motorcycles. He advised to instead use non corrosive disinfectants like alcohol, detergents and Lysol
Based on studies by the World Health Organization, the coronavirus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel up to 72 hours and on cardboard up to 24 hours.
