EPA approves use of Lysol disinfectant as first to kill coronavirus on surfaces

The Environmental Protection Agency has given its first approval of disinfectants that kill covid-19 on non-porous surfaces.

Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist meet the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the ongoing pandemic, based on laboratory testing that found both products kill the virus two minutes after contact, the agency announced in a statement this week.

The EPA said it expects to approve such claims for additional products in the coming weeks, CNN reported.

“EPA is committed to identifying new tools and providing accurate and up-to-date information to help the American public protect themselves and their families from the novel coronavirus,” said EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA’s review of products tested against this virus marks an important milestone in President Trump’s all of government approach to fighting the spread of covid-19.”

Lysol said in a statement it is currently working on testing the efficacy of other disinfectant products against covid-19.

“In the face of the pandemic, Lysol continues to work with a wide range of scientific and health experts to educate the public on the importance of hygiene,” said Rahul Kadyan, executive vice president of Reckitt Benckiser in North America, Lysol’s parent company.