Disinfecting with a Non-Electrostatic Sprayer: An Introduction with Frequently Asked Questions

According to the Center for Disease Control, when you determine the need to disinfect a space, you should choose the safest process that’s also effective. That process should not necessarily be the most sophisticated or high-powered, as that may be beyond your expertise if you’re a non-professional. In most private spaces such as your home, disinfecting with a cloth or sponge prepared with disinfectant; commercial disinfectant wipes; or a commercial spray bottle of disinfectant, is sufficient to lessen exposure to viruses and germs. When choosing a disinfectant, be sure to check the Environmental Protection Agency’s List N which lists disinfectants effective against Coronavirus (COVID-19). Be sure, also, to wear personal protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer of the disinfectant you’re using. That equipment could include anything from chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles to complete skin coverage, added ventilation and possibly further measures.

If you’re responsible for disinfecting a large community space quickly, you might choose to use a large non-electrostatic sprayer for efficiency. In this case, large sprayers can be a safe and effective method if the manufacturer’s product information specifically states that it’s suitable for the application of the disinfectant you’ll be using. If the manufacturer’s information does not state that your sprayer is appropriate for applying disinfectant, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends NOT using the sprayer for that purpose. Also important is vacating spraying area of all people except the person operating the sprayer and following all of the manufacturer’s recommended precautions. A backpack sprayer, a tank sprayer on wheels or a towable sprayer is effective for high coverage quickly.

It would be remiss not to mention electrostatic sprayers here. In case you’ve been considering one, some important considerations are in order. The CDC, although it does not promote or discourage electrostatic spraying for disinfecting, does note the professional level of expertise required to use one. Electrostatic sprayers electrically charge disinfectant as it passes through the nozzle, creating aerosols that often remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. These suspended aerosols can increase the risk of irritating eyes, airways and skin or causing other health problems to those who breathe that air. For these reasons, a professional level of expertise is necessary to use an electrostatic sprayer. This discussion will focus on non-electrostatic spraying, which is considered a more accessible process to a do-it-yourselfer.

Consider these frequently asked questions about non-electrostatic spraying.

1) How does non-electrostatic spraying work?

Non-electrostatic spraying works simply. Typically, a non-electrostatic sprayer includes a handle/nozzle attached to a piston that extends down into a vessel holding the liquid to be sprayed. When that nozzle/handle is pumped, it draws liquid up through the piston and into the nozzle which distributes the liquid in spray form. The pattern of the spray depends on the pattern of the nozzle. It could be a stream, cone, mist or fog, a variation on any of these patterns or another pattern.

2) What are some examples of non-electrostatic spraying devices and how are they used?

• Non-electrostatic spraying sprayers come in many shapes and sizes, including handheld, backpack, wheeled and towable units. The size of the area you need to disinfect helps determine the type of spraying device you use. If you’re looking for something to spray around your private residence, a handheld sprayer is probably sufficient. If you’re responsible for spraying a large community space, a sprayer on wheels is your best choice. This option provides a larger tank of disinfectant for more coverage upfront, minimizing your downtime to refill. If you need to spray a large heavily trafficked indoor/outdoor area, a towable sprayer can offer even more efficiency. Droplets produced by sprayers typically measure 10–40 microns.
• Misters,as their name suggests, spray liquid in finer droplets than a typical sprayer does. In addition to being used for disinfecting indoor and outdoor spaces, misters are also often used on a patio or in a backyard to provide cooling comfort, keep insects away or water plants. The droplets produced by misters usually measure 10–100 microns each.
• Foggers are used to produce the mysterious fog many of us have seen in theatrical productions. These moisturizing machines are also commonly used for disinfecting community spaces. They are effective in disinfecting indoor and outdoor spaces and typically produce droplets 1–10 microns in size.

Whichever type of sprayer you’re considering, be sure to check out all manufacturer’s information and follow all directions and precautions provided. Kudos to you for taking responsibility for disinfecting spaces to protect yourself and others against threatening viruses and other germs. Good luck!