ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is spread by human-to-human transmission via droplets or direct contact and causes serious health problems. World Health Organization (WHO) stated that COVID 19 pandemic can be controlled by measures such as providing supreme hygienic conditions, preventing close contact with infected people, hand washing and using disinfectants. Numerous biocidal materials such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol-containing products, sodium hypochlorite or benzalkonium chloride have been used for disinfection. Generally, hand sanitizers can be examined in two categories, with and without alcohol. Hand sanitizers can be formulated as foam, gel and spray. Health authorities such as the WHO have published guides specifying the characteristics of the disinfectants to be used in the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists should be consulted on the selection of suitable products for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence unreliable products should not be purchased. The purpose of this review is to examine biocidal agents commonly used against all coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, especially hand and surface disinfectants.