Following the coronavirus pandemic citizens are now aware of disinfecting their surroundings with hypochlorite mixed water solutions.
But health and chemical experts however warned that the solution will cause harm to external parts of the human body.
World Health Organization (WHO) and DGHS have given guidelines to make a solution to disinfect surroundings. However, the solution is harmful for the human body, especially the eyes and face.
After the coronavirus outbreak, many city corporations used hypochlorite solutions to disinfect city streets.
Grocery shops, government offices, local organizations, and people also used the solution to disinfect their places.
However, experts do not recommend the solution as it harms the eyes including different parts of the human body.
On April 16, the DGHS issued a circular to all civil surgeons instructing not to use bleaching powder solutions for disinfecting people.
“This type of disinfectant is not statutory as per WHO guideline. DGHS also follows the WHO guideline,” the circular added.
On April 10, Central Police hospital in Dhaka installed three disinfectant shower chambers at its entrance.
Additional Superintendent of Police (admin) Saif Shantu, initiator of the disinfectant shower, said: “We have installed the disinfectant shower following our doctors’ suggestion.
“At least 20 police offices in 15 districts are working to install the disinfectant shower.”
On April 14, voluntary organization "Artanad" installed a disinfection chamber at Mirpur. But its use was stopped after the circular was published.
Nurul Huda, one of the initiators and members of Artanad team, while speaking to Dhaka Tribune said: “We did not use hypochlorite solution. ‘Virucide’ was used as disinfectant inside the chamber instead. But we stopped it due to the circular issued by the DGHS."
A disinfectant chamber in the Mirpur area of Dhaka | Collected
DGHS also installed a disinfection booth which used isopropyl solution (usually used as hand sanitizer) especially for those who were using PPEs, but it was stopped after the circular was issued.
Dr Supriya Sarkar, deputy program manager at DGHS, said the DGHS restricted any types of disinfectant spray directly to the human body.
Prof Tofail Ahmed Chowdhury, dean of Science Faculty at Dhaka University, said bleaching powder solution can cause harm to external parts of the human body, especially for those people with allergies.
“If anybody needs to go outside, I suggest using normal soap to wash their hands and external body,” he said.
As per the recommended guideline, properly made bleaching powder solution can be used as disinfectant. But whether it would be harmful or not depends on the ratio of active chlorine, Tofail added.
DGHS’s procedure to make disinfectant
The DGHS has made a poster where it suggested a procedure to make disinfectants. It suggested using strong (0.5%) chlorine solution to clean and disinfect surfaces, objects, and body fluid spills.
It also said to make a new strong (0.5%) chlorine solution every day and throw away any leftover solution from the day before.
The poster suggested making sure a person is wearing extended Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) while preparing the solution.
The preparation includes adding 10 tablespoons of HTH (70% chlorine) to 20 liters of water in a bucket and stirring well for 10 seconds, or until the HTH gets dissolved. After that, 30 minutes should pass before using the solution.
The DGHS also suggested labeling the solution bucket with “Strong (0.5%) Chlorine Solution - Cleaning,” cover bucket with a lid and storing it in shade with no direct sunlight.