Pattern of disinfectants use and their adverse effects on the consumers after COVID-19 outbreak

• Published in: Journal of environmental health science and engineering 2020-12, Vol.18 (2), p.1301-1310
• Main Authors: Dindarloo, Kavoos, Aghamolaei, Teamur, Ghanbarnejad, Amin, Turki, Habibollah, Hoseinvandtabar, Sommayeh, Pasalari, Hasan, Ghaffari, Hamid Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiseptics; Check lists; Complications and side effects; Consumer behavior; COVID-19; Disinfectants; Disinfection; Disinfection & disinfectants; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Health; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Hygiene; Infection control; Irritation; Itching; Outbreaks; Quality of Life Research; Research Article; Side effects; Sodium hypochlorite; Washing; Waste Management/Waste Technology
• ISSN: 2052-336X; 2052-336X
• DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00548-y

Background and objective The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of disinfectants use within outbreak of COVID-19 and estimate their adverse effects on the consumer’s health. Methods In this descriptive-analytical study, 1090 participants were entered into the study without age and gender limitations. A researcher-made electronic checklist containing 43 questions was applied to collect data. The checklist included three sections: demographic characteristics (8 questions), disinfection of body and non-living surfaces (21 questions), and adverse effects of disinfectants on health (15 questions). Results 87% of participants used the incorrect proportions of water and alcohol to make this disinfectant available at home. The percentage of people with wrong proportion of sodium hypochlorite was 74.2%. Approximately 42% of participants experienced at least one disorder on their hands, feet, eyes, respiratory or gastrointestinal systems after sequential uses of disinfectants. The most common disorders among the participants were found to be skin dryness (76.3%), obsession (42.2%), skin itching (41.2%), coughing (41.1%), and eyes irritation (39.5%). The mean frequency of hand washing and hand disinfecting were 15.28 and 10.74 times per a day, respectively, and the clean-up in case of surfaces was 2.99 times a day. The frequency of hand washing and disinfecting in women group (16.4 and 11.2 times a day) were higher than in men (14.0 and 10.3 times a day) group. I n addition, these self-care actions in married people (15.6 and 11.0 times a day) were higher compared to those in single people (14.0 and 10.6 times a day). Conclusion Being unaware of participants with instruction for preparation and use disinfectants may harm their health. Therefore, it is suggested that the authorities provide the necessary training program for public through official media.