EPA approves 2 Lysol disinfectants for effectiveness killing COVID-19 on surfaces

The Environmental Protection Agency says the products killed the virus two minutes after contact. The Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist are the first approved by the EPA for effectiveness against the virus.

News 12 Staff

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Jul 8, 2020, 2:06 AM

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Updated 1,627 days ago

Two disinfectant products by Lysol have received federal approval as being effective against COVID-19.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the products killed the virus two minutes after contact. The Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist are the first approved by the EPA for effectiveness against the virus.

An EPA administrator said, "EPA is committed to identifying new tools and providing accurate and up-to-date information to help the American public protect themselves and their families from the novel coronavirus."

Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious disease expert at North Shore University Hospital, says it's important to remember that protecting ourselves against COVID-19 should be a multi-pronged approach.

"Social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands before we touch our face is probably a much more effective way of thinking about controlling this really terrible virus," says Hirsch.

The approval came on the same day the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about hand sanitizers that contain methanol, instead of ethanol. The difference could be life-threatening.

MORE: FDA warns against hand sanitizers containing methanol