Thermal fogging shows to be effective at disinfecting surfaces for other pathogens. It may be able to disinfect against the coronavirus, as well. Because the coronavirus shares some characteristics with other viruses, regular disinfecting methods may be effective, too.  Decontaminating high-traffic areas is important when dealing with a pandemic. That is why companies use thermal fogging to try to combat the coronavirus. It could be one of the methods that eliminates the virus in public and private places. 

Thermal Fogging Disinfection

Thermal fogging turns cleaning solutions into heated fog that can get in between crevices. The disinfecting fog permeates the whole structure. It cleans the air and surfaces. When done right, thermal fogging eliminates many of the pathogens found in an area. This is far beyond what can be done by regular janitorial staff. That is a job performed by a professional sanitation company wearing professional protective equipment (PPE). 

People who do thermal fogging must be trained, which is why professional sanitation companies must be called. They wear PPE and use the thermal fogging machine to apply the disinfectants. Heat and kinetic energy create the fog. The operator aims it around the space so that it reaches everywhere. This helps to disperse the disinfectants in areas that people may otherwise have trouble reaching.

The thermal fogger makes it easier to disinfect larger areas, as well. A professional operator may be able to stand in one place and still disinfect the entire area. The fog stays in the air for a while, too. That means that it can contact airborne pathogens.

Coronavirus and Thermal Fogging

Thermal fogging is another method of cleaning and disinfecting. The CDC currently recommends that people disinfect high-touch surfaces. The EPA also has a list of approved chemicals that can kill other hard-to-kill pathogens. While these have not been tested against the coronavirus, they have data to support that they could be effective in disinfection for coronavirus. The disinfecting chemicals used in thermal fogging may help to eliminate the virus on surfaces.

What makes the use of thermal fogging so appealing is that the method disperses the disinfectants throughout the air and into hard-to-reach spots. It could be one of the ways to help disinfect areas frequented by many people. Thermal fogging is a great companion to regular surface cleaning and disinfecting. Studies have shown that it can help decontaminate surfaces better than surface disinfection alone. As we learn more about the coronavirus, we can find new effective ways to clean and disinfect areas.