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COVID-19: Popular disinfection chambers not safe, cause irritation, expert says
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A police officer is sprayed inside a disinfection chamber outside a shopping mall in Jakarta on March 24 as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the capital city. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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s members of the public come up with new models of disinfection chambers to aid in the fight against the aggressive spread of COVID-19, an expert has cautioned against the use of such chambers, claiming they can cause irritation.
“Using disinfection chambers or spraying disinfectant directly on human bodies is not recommended as it can harm the skin, eyes and mouth and could lead to irritation,” an expert from the government’s COVID-19 task force, Wiku Adisasmito, said in a statement on Monday.
Disinfection chambers have been installed in several buildings in Jakarta and Surabaya, East Java, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. Visitors are required to enter the chambers before entering the buildings. Inside, they are sprayed with disinfectant from several directions with the aim of killing viruses on their bodies and clothes.
Besides discouraging the use of disinfection chambers, Wiku also cautioned against the use of high-intensity UV light to kill the virus, as it could cause skin cancer in the long run.
He said the safest way to avoid contracting COVID-19 was by frequent hand washing using water and soap.
"Avoid touching your face, take a shower right after you come home, spray disinfectant when ironing your clothes and stay at least one meter away from other people," he added.
