Are Disinfectant Tunnels Safe? Petition In SC Seeks Ban, Court Asks For Center’s Response

Ever since the outbreak of coronavirus, disinfectant tunnels have been installed in various places especially in areas where there could be large gatherings. But a new petition in Supreme Court that questions its safety has sought a ban.

Medical staff wearing protective gear walk inside a disinfecting tunnel before entering a hospital during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measures against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Srinagar. (Photo by Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered the Center to respond to a PIL which asks for the immediate ban on the production, advertisement, installation, and use of disinfection tunnels. A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy, and MR Shah issued notice on the PIL filed by law student Gursimran Singh Narula. Disinfectant tunnels spray people with chemical sprays and contain the spread of coronavirus. Are Disinfectant Tunnels safe? According to WHO, “spraying of individuals with disinfectants (such as in a tunnel, cabinet, or chamber) is not recommended under any circumstances.” Disinfectant can have a reverse toxic effect, spraying people with chemicals such as chlorine can lead to eye and skin irritation, respiratory issues due to inhalation, and potentially gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. “This practice could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact. Even if someone who is infected with COVID-19 goes through a disinfection tunnel or chamber, as soon as they start speaking, coughing or sneezing they can still spread the virus.” What’s in the PIL? The petitioner claims that these tunnels are a violation of the right to healthy life under Article 21 of the Constitution and argues that many sanitisation and disinfection devices have come in the market which falsely claims to be effective in preventing the virus spread, according to an IANS report. The report also says that in the plea it reads that, "These include disinfection tunnels for spraying and fumigation of disinfectants, exposing human beings to ultraviolet rays. The World Health Organisation and many other scientific authorities across the world have warned about their ineffectiveness and dangerous after-effects.” "As of today, many studies have revealed that spraying of disinfectants on human beings is becoming a common practice across the country with faulty notions of no health impact of the disinfectants," the plea added. Citing a statement by Pune-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) and Mumbai-based Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) from April 24^th, which asserted the effectiveness of disinfectants' spray while doubting the scientific advisory of the health authorities. Considering the virus spreads through droplets or contact, a topical spray of disinfectant will not help in containing the virus.