Now Reading
[Fact Check] Is Large Scale Spraying Of Sanitisation Chemicals Effective At Killing Covid-19?

[Fact Check] Is Large Scale Spraying Of Sanitisation Chemicals Effective At Killing Covid-19?

Housing & Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamarudin is convinced the exercise meets its objective at killing germs.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.


Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, is convinced large scale spraying of sanitisation chemicals meets its objective of killing germs despite experts saying it’s unscientific, not recommended, and a waste of resources.

Zuraida also admits the process is ‘cheap’ and in an interview with Malaysiakini said:

The cost is minimal because we received 1,000 litres of chemicals a long time ago, sponsored by a medical company. We still have some left with us because we mixed it with water, we don’t use much.

In the same interview, she also indirectly answered “yes” when asked if she was convinced that the cleaning agent used by her ministry worked on the Covid-19 virus.

What the experts are saying

(Credit: Farhan Najib / Malay Mail)

Infectious disease expert Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman criticized the nationwide sanitation exercise, which launched on 30 May, saying the large-scale two-day disinfection exercise at 284 locations nationwide was not based on the latest scientific findings and is a waste of resources if not done in a targeted manner.

Top scientists have supported her statement with the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM) saying the Health Ministry should update its “Garis Panduan Pembersihan dan Disinfeksi di Tempat Awam” guidelines.

Here are what other established international institutions are saying concering large-scale spraying of sanitisation chemicals.

World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert of the hazards of public disinfections

WHO has said public disinfections pose a hazard as the chemicals used, such as formaldehyde, chlorine-based agents or quaternary ammonium are not recommended due to its adverse health effects.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States had debunked the public sanitisation approach

CDC notes that spraying cleaning products or disinfectants in outdoor areas such as sidewalks, roads, or groundcover is NOT necessary, effective, or recommended.

What the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom are saying

Like the CDC’s recommendation, HSE also believes large-scale spraying or disinfecting in outdoor spaces such as streets or open marketplaces is not recommended for Covid-19 or other pathogens. Why? Because there is no controlled dispersion of the chemical hazards and can also unintentionally expose the chemicals to people.

Streets and pavements are not considered routes of infection for Covid-19 and spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be dangerous to people’s health and cause eye, respiratory or skin irritation or damage.

The most effective way to combat Covid-19?

The best way to combat Covid-19 to protect yourself and others is to:

  1. Wear a mask.
  2. Physical distance.
  3. Avoid large gatherings.
  4. Get vaccinated as soon as you can.
  5. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  6. Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily.

Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

© 2024 The Rakyat Post. All Rights Reserved. Owned by 3rd Wave Media Sdn Bhd