A Comprehensive Health Effects Assessment of the Use of Sanitizers and Disinfectants during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey
Authors: Hashemi Fallah , Hoepner Lori , Hamidinejad FARAHNAZ Soleimani , Haluza Daniela , Afrashteh Sima , Abbasi Alireza , Omeragić Elma , Imamović Belma , Rasheed Narin A. , Taher Taqi Mohammed Jwad , Kurniasari Fitri , Wazqar Dhuha Youssef , Apalı Özge Ceren , Yildirim Ayca Demir , Zhao Bo , Kalikyan Zaruhi , Guo Cui , Valbuena Andrea Chong , Mititelu Magdalena , Pando Carolina Martínez , Saridi Maria , Toska Aikaterini , Cuba Magalys Lopez , Kwadzokpui Precious Kwablah , Tadele Niguse , Nasibova Tohfa , Harsch Stefanie , Munkh-Erdene Luvsan , Menawi Wafaa , Evangelou Efi , Dimova Antoniya , Marinov Dimitar , Dimitrova Teodora , Shalimova Anna , Fouly Howieda , Suraya Anna , Faquim Juliana Pereira da Silva , Oumayma Bouadil , Annunziato Maria Antonieta , Lalo Rezarta , Papastavrou Evridiki , Ade Anju D. , Caminada Susanna , Stojkov Svetlana , Narvaez Carmen Gloria , Mudau lutendo Sylvia , Rassas Ines , Michel Daphnee , Kaynar Nur Sema , Iqbal Sehar , Elshwekh Halla , Hossain Irin , AL-Fayyadh Sadeq , Sydorchuk Aniuta , Alnusairat Dua’a Mohammad Hasan , Abdullahi Asli Mohamed , Iqbal Neelam , Pandey Apsara , Gómez-Gómez Brenda , Akyildiz Aysenur Gunaydin , Morosan Elena , Dwarica Daniella , Dorj Gantuya , Hasan Sumaya Yusuf , Alshdefat Noha M. , Knezevic Bojana , Valladares Wendy , Severi Cecilia , Fuentes Sofia Cuba , Augusto Sofia , Sidorova Elizaveta , Moelyaningrum Anita Dewi , Alawad Tafaul , Khalid Atiqa , Kmbo Elehamer Nafisa Mhna , Mihaylova Anna , Tsigengagel Oxana , Menouni Aziza , Wojtecka Agnieszka , Hod Rozita , Idayat Yusuf Banke , Othman khadija , Harfouch Rim M. , Paunov Tsonco , Omar Meruyert , Benderli Nana Christine , Nurika Globila , Amjad Sana , Elnoamany Salma , Elesrigy Fatma , Shaban Marwa Mamdouh , Acevedo-López Doménica , Kartashova Maria , Khalaf Atika , Jaafar Sabah Abdullah , Kadhim Taisir A. , Hweissa Nada Ab. , Teng Yulong , Yagoub Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed , Sasikumar Thayahlini , Hikaambo Christabel Nangandu , Kharat Aditi , Lyamtseva ulyana , Aldeeb Maya Arfan , Pawlas Natalia , Khorolsuren Lkhagvasuren , Koonjul Roopeshwaree Pallavi , Maïnassara Halima Boubacar , Chahal Priyanka , Wangeci Rose W , Kumar Ainur B. , Zamora-Corrales Irina , Gracy Stella , Mahamat Maimouna , Adamczyk Jakub , Rahman Haliza Abdul , Matiashova Lolita , Elsherif Omneya Ezzat , Alkhateeb Nazdar Ezzaddin Rasheed , Aleaga Yamilé , Bahrami Shima , Al-salihy Shaimaa Rahem , Cabrera-Galeana Paula , Lalic-Popovic Mladena , Brown-Myrie Eugenie , Bhandari Divya , Mayaboti Cinderella Akbar , Stanišić Svetlana , Pestic Sanda Kreitmayer , Bektay Muhammed Yunus , Sabbah Haleama Al , Hashemi Saber , Assia Bouchetara , Merritt Anne-Sophie , Ramzi Zhian , Baboolal Himawatee , Isstaif Juman , Shami Rula , Saad Rahma , Nyirongo Temwanani , Hoseini Mohammad 
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study through an electronic questionnaire. Results implied that detergents (67%), alcohol-based materials (56%), and chlorinated compounds (32%) were the most commonly used types of sanitizers and disinfectants. Most frequently reported health issues include skin complications 48.8% and respiratory complications 29.8%. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds with all possible health complications under investigation (p-value < 0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate regression analysis showed that alcohols-based materials were associated with skin complications (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87–2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye complications (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74–1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90–2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological complications (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics.