MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2020 - JUN4

Figure 6: Here's information from another label survey:
Hold can upright 6" to 8" from surface. Spray 3 to 4 seconds until
covered with mist.
To Deodorize: Spray on surfaces as needed.
To Sanitize: Surfaces must remain wet for 10 seconds then allow
to air dry.
To Disinfect: Surfaces must remain wet for 3 minutes then allow
to air dry. For Norovirus surfaces must remain wet for 10 minutes
then allow to air dry.

Read the instructions FIRST

This is something we've been saying for what seems like
forever, whether it's the papers that come in the box with a
replacement compressor or the service information for the
vehicle you're working on. And when it comes to using a
sanitizing product, we can't emphasize this enough. Read
the label on the product (Figure 5), know what it's intended

So, think about the ways in which you've used those disinfectant spray products in the past, and compare that to
these instructions. If you haven't been waiting this long, you
should revise your methods for success.

MACS Staff

Figure 5: We surveyed a few major name brand disinfectant
spray cans to see what their instructions say. Here's just a small
sample of what we found.
This product helps fight the spread of germs. Kills cold and flu
viruses. Kills 99.9% of bacteria on soft surfaces as a spot treatment. Prevents the buildup of mold allergens for up to 7 days.
Kills odor causing bacteria.
Use this product in kitchens (sinks, garbage cans, refrigerator exteriors), bathrooms (bathtubs, shower, toilet seats), homes (doorknobs, diaper pails, telephones) and on soft surfaces (couches,
sofas, mattresses, pet beds).

Members are asking MACS

Due to the issue with COVID-19, MACS members have
been asking about which products are available on the market for "sanitizing" A/C systems, along with service methods to clean the air conditioner. We did a lot of research and
found the current answer is not so simple.
As we said, there currently is no guidance for how to clean
MVAC systems to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,
and the few documents that can be found relate primarily to
HVAC/R systems. Even so, many of those reports are conflicting and some have been revised over the last few weeks
as new information has emerged due to the current pandemic. For example, the US CDC recommends HVAC filters should be changed regularly to help clean the air, while
the European REHVA says that HVAC duct cleaning has no
practical effect.
There are many products on the market which claim to
clean, disinfect and / or sanitize your car's A/C system, and
some recent ads say the products work against COVID-19.
But be aware that like most things, the devil's in the details,
and when you look closely you may find some of these
products don't live up to their claims.

Disinfects: Kills the following household germs:
Viruses:
* Avian Influenza Virus (H1N1)
* Influenza A Virus (New Caledonia/20/99)
* Influenza B Virus (Strain B/Hong Kong/5/72)
* Rhinovirus Type 39
* Feline calicivirus (Norovirus)
* Rotavirus WA
* Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
* Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
* Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Bacteria & Fungi:
* Salmonella enterica
* Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli)
* Klebsiella pneumoniae - NDM-1 positive
* Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenem Resistant
* Streptococcus pyogenes
* Penicillium chrysogenum
* Staphylococcus aureus - Methicillin Resistant (HA-MRSA)
* Listeria monocytogenes
* Pseudomonas aeruginosa
* Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Athlete's Foot Fungus)
* Aspergillus niger (mold & mildew)

Beyond killing germs

There's more to consider with sanitizing an A/C system
than just destroying pathogens. We also have to consider any
affects the product we choose may have on the individual
components themselves. For example, some shops may decide that using a mild bleach solution mixed with water will
work well to combat the virus. This may indeed work, but
if they spray it into the HVAC case (either through the cowl
intake or by simply spraying it in through the dashboard
vents), what effect will their particular mixture have on, say,
the heater core, or evaporator fins? Bleach corrodes many
metals, and should not be used on stainless steel, aluminum,
copper or brass. It can also damage marble and granite surfaces as well (in case your shop has granite countertops in
the customer waiting area).
A careful review of Toyota's guidance specifically says
that disinfecting products which contain hydrogen perox-

uses are (and exactly which pathogens it's supposed to kill)
and make sure you follow the recommended procedures.
You also have to know how to use the product too. Many
of us think that simply spraying a disinfectant onto a surface, and then immediately wiping it up, is enough to get the
job done. Doing that may have some affect, but really what's
needed is time. You have to give the product enough time to

June 2020

MACS Service Reports

MACS Staff

do its job, and the label will tell you about that (Figure 6).

Some things to keep in mind related to cleaning materials
* Read the label. Find out if the product you're using is registered with the US EPA and that it has been certified for use with
COVID-19.
* Check the EPA's list of surface disinfectant products that are
effective against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.epa.gov/pesticideregistration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

https://www.epa.gov/pesticideregistration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 https://www.epa.gov/pesticideregistration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2020

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