Here’s how Sodium Hypochlorite is being sprayed on the streets to contain the spread of Coronavirus

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Here’s how Sodium Hypochlorite is being sprayed on the streets to contain the spread of Coronavirus
Fire fighters spray disinfectant to sanitise the road during a nationwide lockdown, imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Bengaluru.Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(

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  • In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, various state governments are conducting sanitizing drives, disinfecting the streets with Sodium Hypochlorite.
  • However, as per the instructions, it is only to be sprayed in areas that reported Coronavirus positive cases.
  • The low cost greenish yellow solution is also called liquid bleach which acts as a germ killing mechanism — especially effective against viruses and fungi.
  • “It has to be diluted before being sprayed,” said P Rahangdhale, director of fire services, Maharashtra.
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, various state governments are conducting sanitizing drives, disinfecting the streets with Sodium Hypochlorite — a salt of hypochlorous acid.

The fire brigade has been spraying the disinfectants in slums and other congested areas. However, as per the instructions of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), it is only to be sprayed in the areas that have reported Coronavirus positive cases.

Not a preventive measure

The low cost greenish yellow solution is also called liquid bleach which acts as a germ killing mechanism — effective against viruses and fungi.

“Sodium Hypochlorite in solution has a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Its duration of action may last for a few hours, not exceeding 24 hours. Thus, it can be used as a disinfectant, but not as a preventive dose,” Jayesh Bellare, professor at IIT Bombay told the Times of India.
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Here’s how Sodium Hypochlorite is being sprayed on the streets to contain the spread of Coronavirus
Fire brigade officials spray disinfectants on a road, during day-3 of a nationwide lockdown, imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, at Mankur in Mumbai.Photo/Kunal Patil)(

It was used as a common disinfectant before Chlorine was introduced — to kill germs in water. It is also used to clean food preparation surfaces and laundries.

How the disinfectant is sprayed on the roads

The Mumbai fire brigade said that it will spray 554,000 litres of diluted sodium hypochlorite across the city to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

Come Saturday (March 28), when the officials witnessed a group of people spraying the germicide by themselves, they posted a video of the correct technique. “It has to be diluted before being sprayed,” said P Rahangdhale, director of fire services, Maharashtra.

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The Mumbai fire brigade has 11,080 litres of this bleach, which when diluted with water to make 5,54,000 litres. As many as 104 staffers from BMC ward offices have been at it with their backpack machines.

Another important point is that the disinfectant shouldn’t be carried on any vehicle since the spray tank is made of Steel — which corrodes easily. Using ‘quick response’ vehicles that have stainless steel tanks, along with mist blowing machines and backpack spraying machines (which are battery operated) can be effective.

“It is not possible for the fire brigade’s machines to go into every nook and corner, and we are heavily relying on individual officers carrying the backpack machines into these small lanes.”

On similar lines, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) also geared up for the sanitation drive, especially at hospitals, schools and shopping malls. “Staff associated with the collection of garbage will regularly monitor and maintain hygiene. Each ward has been strictly instructed to clear the garbage early morning and spray disinfectants wherever necessary,” said the chief sanitation officer, Syed Nisar.

Here’s how Sodium Hypochlorite is being sprayed on the streets to contain the spread of Coronavirus

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Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh government has also been sending teams on sanitization duty at the Bareilly bus stand. However that ended up in a controversy as the chemical was also sprayed on migrants, who were returning to their homes.

"About 50 of us were sitting and waiting for food and a bus when some men in protective suits came and began spraying water on us. They claimed to be from the sanitisation team and were sanitising us. The children began crying and women were also shocked,” a migrant Mohd Afzal told IANS

The district magistrate later said that strict action will be taken against workers who performed the act.

See also:
All those who died of Coronavirus in India, their age, medical and travel history

Here are the cricketers who made donations to fight the Coronavirus pandemic
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