Dettol disinfectant spray

16th February 2020

Dettol disinfectant spray – Can it kill the novel corona virus?

Chloroxylenol, also known as para-chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX), is an antiseptic and disinfectant which is used for skin disinfection and cleaning surgical instruments. It is also used within a number of household disinfectants and wound cleaners. It is sold in a number of formulations and under a number of brand names including Dettol. (Source: Wikipedia)

Dettol’s company RB, has clarified that it does not have access to this new corona virus and therefore have not done testing on it before. So that is no evidence that it can kill the virus. It can probably kill flu virus which has been tested before.

But this doesn’t stop us from spraying it over common areas, cutting down the amount of germs in our common spaces will do us good in this period. I wish we will all become more socially responsible to wear face masks when we are sick. Of course it feels uncomfortable and older folks probably despise wearing it but it is the way to go.

Singapore is becoming more and more densely populated and we can all do better by increasing our level of personal hygiene. Don’t you agree? 🙂

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