Covid-19: reducing the risk of transmission by disinfecting indoor spaces
In the present context of the Covid-19 pandemic, numerous questions have arisen about how the virus is transmitted. While we know that the virus is mainly transmitted from person to person, when in close direct contact and without any protective measures, through droplets expelled when coughing or sneezing in particular, it would seem that it can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces. The risk is then touching the face with unwashed hands.
In its Covid-19 questions and answers, the WHO says: “Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).” Studies still differ on the survival time of the virus on surfaces, but, in addition to applying barrier measures, it should be possible to reduce the risk of propagation by disinfecting surfaces on a regular basis. Veolia, through its subsidiaries Veolia Industries Global Solutions and the STPI and SARP teams, has been offering its expertise in cleaning and disinfecting interior spaces for several years, in particular with its 3D solution (rat eradication, insect eradication and disinfection), and is working even harder during this period.
Veolia’s solution, expertise in three areas
Veolia offers its customers three types of disinfection with a product that complies with the EN 14476 standard and can be used against Covid-19, depending on the volume and type of surface, and can operate 24/7, in all circumstances:
- Disinfection of spaces by misting: spraying a disinfectant, bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal product as a cloud of very fine droplets. This process allows large spaces such as premises, offices, changing rooms, public transport interiors, etc. to be disinfected.
- Surface disinfection by spraying: spraying a disinfectant, bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal product in the form of water jets. This process is particularly suitable for treating specific medium and large surfaces that are likely to have been touched by a number of different people – for example floors, furniture, equipment, etc.
- Bio-cleaning disinfection: all the manual operations for cleaning and disinfecting floors, surfaces and furniture using disinfectant, bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal products. This operation complements spraying and misting treatments and allows floors, furniture and points of contact such as handles, glass partitions, lift buttons, etc. to be treated.
Our employees involved in this type of project are equipped with single-use PPE (personal protective equipment) (category 3 suits, respiratory protection, ABP3 full face mask, gloves, boots, etc.), are trained to deal with the situation in complete safety, and respect barrier measures.
It should be noted that disinfection is not preventive and cannot replace the use of barrier measures. In fact, a disinfected surface can be contaminated again after treatment. The objective of the Veolia solution is not to eliminate all possibilities of contamination, but to reduce them as far as possible by disinfecting the spaces and surfaces at risk. Customers are therefore free to choose the frequency of disinfection in accordance with their needs.
This solution is part of Veolia's "environmental hygiene and building sanitation" offer, which includes our expertise in improving the quality of indoor air in buildings.
> Read also: World Environment Day: Veolia commits to fighting indoor air pollution!
They have chosen this solution
France
Naval Group
Since 17 March 2020, STPI, a subsidiary of Veolia Industries Global Solutions, has been responsible for disinfecting and cleaning the Naval Group's head office in Paris and its strategic sites in Brest, Ile Longue, Indret, Ruelle, Bagneux, Toulon and Saint-Tropez, managed by Défense Environnement Services. The washrooms and rooms used for lunch, meetings, internal network connections as well as contact points (door handles, lifts, etc.) are cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis to reduce the risk of contamination.