THE CHEMISTRY OF SANITIZERS IN COVID-19 TIMES: DO YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS?

摘要

In December 2019, the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19), caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was reported and the disease was declared as a worldwide pandemic in March 2020. As there is no vaccine currently available, the daily hygiene cleaning habits and social distance are the ways to fight COVID-19 indicated by the WHO. Hand and surface hygiene has become essential and the use of 60-90% ethanol is recommended for its effective biocide action. Phenol-based products are effective sanitizers, but they can cause irritation and are not recommended for surfaces that come into contact with food. There are quaternary ammonium salts that present low toxic and are good sanitizers, as they can cause the denaturation of proteins and disruption of viral lipid bilayer. Sodium hypochlorite is one of the most used sanitizers due to its low cost and effective oxidative capacity. In the same direction, peroxides are also used as a biocide, as they cause oxidation of lipids and denaturation of viral proteins. The goal of this paper is to describe the action modes and chemical concepts of the sanitizers recommended by the ANVISA-Brazil to be used against the new coronavirus.