Scientific Data Confirms Hygiene Products are >99.9% Effective Against COVID-19

A new study designed to increase the understanding of methods to combat the spread of COVID-19 has confirmed that active ingredients in many of the leading hygiene brands are >99.9% effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The findings were published in The American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).

The study is the first published evaluation of the viricidal efficacy of personal care and surface cleaning and disinfection products against SARS-CoV-2 using internationally established standards¹ The laboratory tests examined active ingredients¹ in well-known and widely-used brands (Dettol and Lysol) antiseptic liquid, hand sanitiser, hand wash, disinfectant spray, personal care and surface wipes, bar soap, surface cleaner and laundry sanitiser. The study found all microbicidal actives to be effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating a reduction of the infectious virus within the tested 1 to 5 minutes.

The researchers highlighted that the findings are significant given the practical importance of microbicides having efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in the home, community, and healthcare settings.

Dr Bruce Charlesworth, Chief Medical Officer at RB commented, “Our hope is that these findings will be useful to the infection prevention and control community in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is a positive development and is fully consistent with our expectations. We will continue to develop scientific evidence to support our product portfolio to enable effective, science-led communication around hygiene.”

This study is what is believed to be the most comprehensive evaluation to date, covering all active ingredients across the majority of the portfolio and product formulations. Where required, we have submitted this data to regulatory authorities for their review and approval.

These studies form part of a wider commitment by RB, a leader in hygiene, to contribute to scientific knowledge around hygiene and COVID-19 and to ensure that all of its communication with stakeholders is evidence-based.  Other initiatives include working closely with leading scientific experts and academic institutions in the field of hygiene and infection control to educate the public on the importance of hygiene, as well as supporting frontline healthcare workers.

References

1.     Microbicidal Actives with Virucidal Efficacy against SARS-CoV-2: M Khalid Ijaz et al. AJIC, American Journal of Infection Control (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.05.015

Testing conducted on the following products: Dettol Antiseptic Liquid; Dettol Laundry Sanitizer; Dettol Hand Sanitizer; Dettol Liquid Hand Wash; Lysol / Dettol Disinfectant Wipes; Lysol / Dettol Disinfectant Spray; Dettol Bar Soap; Dettol /Glen 20 Disinfectant Spray; Dettol / Napisan Surface Cleanser; Dettol Personal Care Wipes; Lysol Laundry Sanitizer and Dettol Hand Wash Foam, Dettol Disinfectant Hygiene Liquid, Lizol Disinfectant Surface Cleaner