CHANDIGARH, Punjab—As soon as the trend of installing disinfectant tunnel started becoming emerging as a trend amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Punjab Health Department has made it clear that the disinfectant being used in these tunnels doesn’t kill any virus instead it harms skin and eyes.
“The Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (NaClO) used in these tunnels, is harmful for eyes as well as skin,” the Health Department remarked while pointing out its highly Alkaline nature.
“The 0.5% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution, wouldn’t kill any virus as at least 1 per cent hypochlorite solution was required for the purpose,” it further said.
It is learnt that the pH (Power of Hydrogen) value of Sodium Hypochlorite stands around 11 on pH scale i.e. only three points less than its extreme.
It is pertinent to note here that such tunnels were installed in several government offices of Punjab besides hospitals.
Similar tunnels have also been installed in several historic Sikh shrines including Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib (Delhi).
In an advisory to all civil surgeons and deputy commissioners on April 13, the department said these disinfectant tunnels would create a false sense of security and people might skip hand wash and other measures after passing through it.
