#EPA issues emergency OK for first long-lasting disinfectant against COVID-19

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The first-long lasting product to fight the spread of coronavirus has been approved.
American Airlines

The Environmental Protection Agency granted emergency approval Monday for the first long-lasting disinfectant against COVID-19 — which could kill the virus on surfaces for days after cleanings.

The product, SurfaceWise 2 from the Texas-based company Allied BioScience, has the technology to deactivate the virus on surfaces for up to a week, ABC News reported.

“This initial EPA approval clears the way to effectively protect people against COVID-19 as a residual solution proven to provide long-term, non-toxic surface protection from viruses, including coronaviruses,” Allied BioScience CEO Michael Ruley said in a statement.

The disinfectant has been approved for use in Texas with American Airlines, the Texas Methodist Health Group and certain Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine locations.

“SurfaceWise2 will make the travel experience even safer for those who are ready to return to the skies and reopen our country for business,” American Airlines CEO David Seymour said in a statement.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler hailed the product as groundbreaking in the fight against the virus, though he warned the product doesn’t replace frequent cleaning, hand washing and mask-wearing, ABC reported.

“This is, I believe, a major game-changing announcement for our efforts to combat coronavirus and COVID19,” Wheeler told reporters.