Coronavirus disease 2019: Repeated immersion of chlorine-containing disinfectants has adverse effects on goggles

Abstract

IntroductionDuring COVID-19, some front-line personnel experienced varying degrees of eye discomfort due to the use of goggles repeatedly disinfected with chlorine-containing disinfectant.MethodsThe eye damage information of 276 front-line personnel who used goggles in a hospital from October 1, 2021, to December 1, 2021, was collected by filling out a questionnaire. To study the effect of chlorinated disinfectants on goggles, we immersed the goggles in the same volume of water and chlorinated disinfectant buckets. We tested the light transmittance, color and texture, and airtightness of the goggles at different times (1, 3, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240, and 268 h). In addition, we detected where chlorinated disinfectant remained in the goggles by using disinfectant concentration test paper.Results60 (21.82%) people experienced dry eyes, stinging pain, photophobia and tearing, conjunctival congestion, eyelid redness, and swelling. After treatment or rest, the patient's ocular symptoms were significantly relieved within 3 days. With the extension of disinfection time, the light transmission of the lenses gradually decreased, and the light transmission reduced when immersion occurred at 216 h. After 72 h of disinfection, the color of the goggle frame began to change to light yellow, the texture gradually became hard and brittle, and the color became significantly darker at 268 h of disinfection. The airtightness of the goggles began to decrease after 168 h of disinfection, the airtightness decreased substantially at 268 h, and the shape changed significantly. In addition, the concentration test paper results show that the disinfection solution mainly resides in the goggle frame seam and goggles' elastic bands' bundle.ConclusionsRepeated chlorine disinfectant disinfection will reduce the effectiveness of goggles protection and damage front-line personnel's eye health.

Temporary COVID-19 Specialized Hospital: Management Strategies for Public Health Emergencies

“…Before leaving the infected area, the potentially infected area and the medical waste generated in the infected areas and buffer zones should be disinfected with 1000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant. 20 The current study contains several drawbacks. Due to the sudden response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the temporary COVID-19 specialized hospital was established with no prior experience to refer to.…”

“…To prevent secondary pollution, the temporary Covid-19 specialized hospital strictly adheres to sewage disinfection and medical waste management, including domestic and medical waste collection, treatment, transportation, temporary storage, and handover. 19,20 Wastes generated in infected areas and buffer zones, including medical and domestic wastes, are collected and considered medical wastes. Before leaving the infected area, the potentially infected area and the medical waste generated in the infected areas and buffer zones should be disinfected with 1000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant.…”

“…18 Eight, medical waste management; the temporary COVID-19 specialized hospital implements strict sewage disinfection and medical waste management to prevent secondary pollution, including domestic and medical waste collection, treatment, transportation, temporary storage, and handover. 19,20…”

“…17,18 (8) Medical waste management to prevent secondary pollution, including medical waste collection, treatment, transportation, temporary storage, and handover. 19,20 This commentary aimed to provide a reference for treating and controlling COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We implemented the management experiences, including general ideas, medical work divisions, efficient time management, strict protective measures management, strategies for managing infected patients, disinfection management, drug supply management strategies, and medical waste management.…”