How to Disinfect the Interior of a Car (Useful for Coronavirus)
We have already talked on some occasions about how to clean the interior of the car. From the upholstery to the ceiling , through the windows. But the development of the coronavirus and the fear of contagion makes it necessary to take extra precautions. And is that cars can be a focus of contagion. Obviously less than others where there is a greater number of people using it, in the case of public transport, but it exists.
Chinese epidemiologists, the country where this disease originated and where research, for this reason, is most advanced, offer data on this family of viruses that can indicate the measures to be taken:
- It survives in the air for about 30 minutes and diffuses up to 4.5 meters.
- It remains active on steel for two days, four on wood and glass, five on metal, plastic and ceramic.
- It lasts between two and eight hours on aluminum, but less than eight hours on latex.
These are average figures. The permanence of the virus in objects varies depending on temperature or humidity, as well as the type of surface.
As you can see, in the end the virus, if it doesn't reach a cell to reproduce, ends up disappearing. Therefore, if you comply with the alarm state and stay at home, without using the car for 15 days, it would not be necessary to take any type of precaution, according to the information that scientists offer us. Another song is if you have to use the car - to go to your workplace, for an emergency - and that you suspect that you may have brought someone with coronavirus.
As much as you have complied with sanitation protocols (cleaning your hands, using disinfectant gels, leaving a safe distance with other people) it is probable that some microorganism such as the coronavirus will remain. A simple sneeze or touching an infected hand to a surface can spread the disease.
To prevent viruses from remaining, cleaning centers offer, in addition to comprehensive washing, a sanitation of the interior, which includes the air conditioning system and the surface of the evaporator.
The most effective treatment for the interior of a vehicle that eliminates bacteria and pathogens, not viruses, is ozone. An ozone-releasing machine that purifies the cabin is used in the passenger compartment - vacuum. The process lasts between 20 and 50 minutes, at a not excessive price (part of the 20 euros). After doing its job, it transforms back into oxygen, which destroys the cell membrane of the microorganisms.
Of course, you must bear in mind that ozone is not a virucidal, like those used to disinfect surgical equipment or like those used in fleets of buses and public trains to stop the expansion of the coronavirus. Due to its composition (three oxygen atoms), the resulting molecule captures electrons from any approximating compound to regain its stability
It is a relentless oxidant, hence its extraordinary biocide, deodorant and chemical compound destruction properties. It does this by scavenging electrons from other molecules, oxidizing and destabilizing them to the point of destroying them if the ozone concentration and contact time is sufficient.
Viruses are infectious agents with a single nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), surrounded by a covering made up of one or more proteins, capable of transmitting their genome from one cell to another. Ozone easily destroys these molecules at lower doses than necessary to destroy bacteria.
Of course, in addition to this, it is recommended to clean every time the car is taken the elements with which we have the most contact, especially if the vehicle is used by more than one person. Pay attention to the steering wheel, gear lever knob or handles. Don't forget to thoroughly clean the vents as well. A disinfecting multipurpose wipe can be used for this.
