As everyone responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more schools, businesses, and other facilities contemplate re-opening there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there. We've designed this page with resources to help you navigate it all.

Important Notes About the EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19)

©2020 EnvirOx, LLC.

PANDEMIC CLEANING GUIDE: COVID-19 & BEYOND

What you MUST know about cleaning & disinfecting for COVID-19:

List N is a list of disinfectants the EPA has approved as likely to kill the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some confusion and misunderstandings have cropped up about the products on this list and how to use them.

• Remember: You must CLEAN before you disinfect, or you're not disinfecting effectively.
• List N contains NO "one-step" disinfectant claims for COVID-19.
• List N disinfectants are typically highly alkaline or have a very low pH, which can CORRODE many surfaces.
• Using ONLY List N disinfectants for both facility cleaning and disinfecting is NOT RECOMMENDED.
• List N disinfectants are typically higher in TOXICITY.

OUTBREAK CLEANING GUIDE: 
COVID-19 & BEYOND

List N is a list of disinfectants the EPA has approved as likely to kill the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some confusion and misunderstandings have cropped up about the products on this list and how to use them.

• Remember: You must CLEAN before you disinfect, or you're not disinfecting effectively.
  
  
• List N contains NO "one-step" disinfectant claims for COVID-19.
  
  
• List N disinfectants are typically highly alkaline or have a very low pH, which can CORRODE many surfaces.
  
  
• Using ONLY List N disinfectants for both facility cleaning and disinfecting is NOT RECOMMENDED.
  
  
• List N disinfectants are typically higher in TOXICITY.

A selection of info sheets, E-books and presentations we've created to tackle outbreaks and pandemics like COVID-19

PSA: Spray Head Re-Use
Helps with supply shortages

Info Sheet: Minimizing Disinfectant Risks

Info Sheet: Cleaners vs Disinfectants vs Virucides & More

E-book:  Deep Cleaning Schools During Closures

Critical Care Disinfectant Training Wall Charts

Recent blog articles we've written, and other key links for you to know as you clean and disinfect for COVID-19.

Key blogs we've written and other important links from around the internet.

We've created webinars and instructional videos to help.

How to use Critical Care Disinfectant (1m54s)

Webinar: Cleaning and Disinfecting During COVID-19 (10m55s)

Webinar: Deep Cleaning Schools and Universities During Closures  (14m37s)

Webinar: Green Cleaning in Schools: Laws & Benefits  (18m31s)

Webinars and instructional videos.

Here are our recommended products for tackling COVID-19. Choose a low-residue, low-toxicity multi-purpose cleaner, and combine with a List N Disinfectant.

Here are our recommended products for tackling COVID-19. Choose a low-residue, low-toxicity multi-purpose cleaner, and combine with a List N Disinfectant.

H2Orange2
Hyper-Concentrate 112

✅ Cleaner & Sanitizer/Virucide

✅ Fresh Orange Scent

✅ 95% of  Your Cleaning Needs

H2O2 Orange Cleaner
Hyper-Concentrate

✅ Green Certified

✅ Fresh Orange Scent

✅ 95% of  Your Cleaning Needs

Green Certified
Multi-Purpose Cleaner

✅ Green Certified

✅ Clean Linen Scent

✅ 95% of  Your Cleaning Needs

Some of the most-asked questions we get from customers. We start by using EPA guidance and have added our own commentary.

Does H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 or H2Orange2 Hyper-Concentrate 112 Kill the Coronavirus?

These products are NOT on the EPA LIst N. The EPA List N only contains disinfectants; no sanitizers are on the list. EPA-registered products with “human coronavirus” listed as a target pathogen on the product label are included on List N. EnvirOx® H2Orange2® Concentrate 117™ Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner / Absolute™ EnvirOx® H2Orange2® Hyper-Concentrate 112 Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner and EnvirOx® Fresh Concentrate 118™ Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner are not disinfectants.  Rather they have an EPA registration as a sanitizer and a virucide.  The EnvirOx virucide claims do not contain the “human coronavirus”.  Hence these EnvirOx formulas do not contain the “approved virus claims” as mentioned by the EPA in this FAQ.

That doesn't mean H2Orange2 shouldn't be a key part of your cleaning program, however. See our videos above. You should always clean and then disinfect, and using a low-toxicity, low-residue in concert with a disinfectant is important now more than ever.

What does the column “emerging viral pathogen claim” indicate in List N?

This column of List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 shows whether or not a product qualified for EPA’s emerging viral pathogen claim. If you see “yes,” that means the product qualified for an emerging viral pathogen claim. To do so, a product must demonstrate efficacy (e.g. effectiveness) against a harder-to-kill virus than SARS-CoV-2. If you see “no,” that means the product does not have an emerging viral pathogen claim.

These fall into two categories:

• Products that have demonstrated efficacy against another human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2
• Products that EPA has approved for use against select viruses that are harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2, such as norovirus. 

EPA expects all products on List N to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 when used according to label directions, regardless of whether they have yes or no in this column. EnvirOx Critical Care (EPA# 72977-3 -69268): follow directions and let dwell for 3 minutes. The formulation is a Ready-to-Use product. EnvirOx Critical Care carries the EPA Emerging Pathogen Claim.

Can I apply a product using a method that is not specified in the directions for use?

Any time you use an EPA-registered disinfectant, you should read the product label and follow the directions, including the method of application. This is the best way to ensure the product will safely kill pathogens that cause human illness.

A disinfectant product’s safety and effectiveness may change based on how you use it. If a disinfectant product's label doesn't include disinfection directions for a certain method of application, EPA has not reviewed any data on whether the product is safe and effective when used in this way. EPA's regulatory process ensures that all registered disinfectant products legally sold in the United States include directions for use which, if followed, will allow a product to carry out its intended function without resulting in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. Before using a product, always read its label and follow its instructions, including the application method.

EnvirOx has and will continue to only provide instructions for the use of our EPA registered products that are consistent with the product label.  Our priorities include the safety of the person using our products coupled with the effectiveness of our products in the cleaning and disinfection process.

Does H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 or H2Orange2 Hyper-Concentrate 112 Kill the Coronavirus?

These products are NOT on the EPA LIst N. The EPA List N only contains disinfectants; no sanitizers are on the list. EPA-registered products with “human coronavirus” listed as a target pathogen on the product label are included on List N. EnvirOx® H2Orange2® Concentrate 117™ Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner / Absolute™ EnvirOx® H2Orange2® Hyper-Concentrate 112 Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner and EnvirOx® Fresh Concentrate 118™ Sanitizer/Virucide Cleaner are not disinfectants.  Rather they have an EPA registration as a sanitizer and a virucide.  The EnvirOx virucide claims do not contain the “human coronavirus”.  Hence these EnvirOx formulas do not contain the “approved virus claims” as mentioned by the EPA in this FAQ.

That doesn't mean H2Orange2 shouldn't be a key part of your cleaning program, however. See our videos above. You should always clean and then disinfect, and using a low-toxicity, low-residue in concert with a disinfectant is important now more than ever.

What does the column “emerging viral pathogen claim” indicate in List N?

This column of List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 shows whether or not a product qualified for EPA’s emerging viral pathogen claim. If you see “yes,” that means the product qualified for an emerging viral pathogen claim. To do so, a product must demonstrate efficacy (e.g. effectiveness) against a harder-to-kill virus than SARS-CoV-2. If you see “no,” that means the product does not have an emerging viral pathogen claim.

These fall into two categories:

• Products that have demonstrated efficacy against another human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2
• Products that EPA has approved for use against select viruses that are harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2, such as norovirus. 

EPA expects all products on List N to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 when used according to label directions, regardless of whether they have yes or no in this column. EnvirOx Critical Care (EPA# 72977-3 -69268): follow directions and let dwell for 3 minutes. The formulation is a Ready-to-Use product. EnvirOx Critical Care carries the EPA Emerging Pathogen Claim.

Can I apply a product using a method that is not specified in the directions for use?

Any time you use an EPA-registered disinfectant, you should read the product label and follow the directions, including the method of application. This is the best way to ensure the product will safely kill pathogens that cause human illness.

A disinfectant product’s safety and effectiveness may change based on how you use it. If a disinfectant product's label doesn't include disinfection directions for a certain method of application, EPA has not reviewed any data on whether the product is safe and effective when used in this way. EPA's regulatory process ensures that all registered disinfectant products legally sold in the United States include directions for use which, if followed, will allow a product to carry out its intended function without resulting in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. Before using a product, always read its label and follow its instructions, including the application method.

EnvirOx has and will continue to only provide instructions for the use of our EPA registered products that are consistent with the product label.  Our priorities include the safety of the person using our products coupled with the effectiveness of our products in the cleaning and disinfection process.

PANDEMIC CLEANING GUIDE: 
COVID-19 & BEYOND