Safer COVID-19 Disinfectants
When it comes to disinfectants that are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19, some active ingredients are safer than others. Green Seal has curated U.S. EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus to help you identify safer ones.
Choosing Safer Disinfectants
Green Seal recommends choosing List N disinfectants that use active ingredients approved by EPA’s Design for the Environment program or hypochlorous acid. Unlike other active ingredients commonly found in disinfectants, these ones are not linked to asthma, cancer, endocrine disruption, DNA damage, or skin irritation.
It is also important to look at the safety of the overall disinfectant product, including inactive ingredients. The product safety data sheet (SDS) provides information on whether the overall product is classified as hazardous according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
For comprehensive best practices on safer cleaning and disinfecting during the pandemic, see our Safer Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines.
| hydrogen peroxide** |
|---|
| citric acid |
| lactic acid |
| ethyl alcohol (also called ethanol or just alcohol) |
| isopropyl alcohol |
| peroxyacetic acid ** |
| hypochlorous acid |
Products with Safer Active Ingredients
Green Seal has compiled a list of EPA List N disinfectants that use safer active ingredients. This is only a partial list; check List N for other options. As always, read the label carefully and follow the directions for safe, effective use.
- Accel 5 RTU
EPA Registration No. 74559-8 • 5-minute contact time - Angel
EPA Registration No. 777-126 • 10-minute contact time - Annihilyte
EPA Registration No. 92449-1 • 10-minute contact time - Bona STL Disinfecting Cleaner
EPA Registration No. 91861-2 • 10-minute contact time - CleanCide
EPA Registration No. 34810-35 • 5-minute contact time - Diversey’s Oxivir TB Ready-to-Use Liquid
EPA Registration No. 70627-56 • 1-minute contact time - Ecolab’s Peroxide Multi Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant
EPA Registration No. 1677-238 • 2-minute contact time - ECOS Multi-Purpose Disinfectant & Sanitizer, fresh citrus
EPA Registration No. 34810-35-82206 • 5-minute contact time - ECOS Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Wipes, fresh citrus
EPA Registration No. 34810-37-82206 • 3-minute contact time - ECOS PRO Multi-Surface Disinfectant & Sanitizer, fresh citrus
EPA Registration No. 34810-35-82206 • 5-minute contact time - Facility+ RTU
EPA Registration No. 45745-12 • 1-minute contact time
- Force of Nature Activator Capsule
EPA Registration No. 93040-1 • 10-minute contact time - Hydra
EPA Registration No. 10772-21 • 5-minute contact time - Lemi Shine Disinfecting Wipes
EPA Registration No. 34810-37-92388 • 3-minute contact time - PURELL Healthcare Surface Disinfectant
EPA Registration No. 84368-1-84150 • 30-second contact time - PURELL Professional Food Service Surface Sanitizer
EPA Registration No. 84368-1-84150 • 30-second contact time - PURELL Professional Surface Disinfectant
EPA Registration No. 84368-1-84150 • 30-second contact time - UrthPRO
EPA Registration No. 84368-1 • 30-second contact time - Viking Pure Disinfectant
EPA Registration No. 87542-1 • 10-minute contact time - Wexford Disinfectant Wipes
EPA Registration No. 34810-37 • 3-minute contact time - Windex Disinfectant Cleaner
EPA Registration No. 4822-593 • 10-minute contact time
