Uso de dióxido de cloro para la desinfección de áreas de trabajo

Abstract

The adequate disinfection of work environments in educational institutions that remained closed for more than a year due to the confinement caused by Covid-19 was essential for the progressive return of routine activities. Studies have shown that when areas remain closed for long periods, there is a risk that the bacteria and fungi contained inside will increase to levels that can be dangerous to health. This study was developed at the Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Marine Sciences (FIMCM) facilities of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL). Its objective was to determine the efficiency of chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of the environment and contact surfaces in work areas that had remained closed for more than a year during the pandemic. The disinfection of the environment was evaluated by culture in an agar plate, for the recovery of bacteria and fungi, before and after using chlorine dioxide (20ppm). On the other hand, disinfection on surfaces was evaluated using a luminometer before and after using chlorine dioxide (20ppm). It was confirmed that the presence of fungi in the environment decreased by 73%, while microorganisms in the contact surfaces decreased between 92% to 99%. This work was presented as a report to ESPOL authorities as part of what was done before returning to the offices and other locations of the FIMCM; however, it was not written as a scientific paper format, nor it was published in scientific research journals.