###### Abstract  
Within the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, different disinfection technologies have been developed to efficiently exercise microbial control, especially to minimize the potential risks that are associated with transmission and infection among healthcare professionals. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the perception of professionals regarding the use of a new technology (chamber) for the instantaneous decontamination of personal protective equipment before the doffing stage. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study where the study data were obtained by using a questionnaire with qualitative questions. In total, 245 professionals participated in the study in three hospitals. Healthcare professionals represented 72.24% (\(n=177\)) of the investigated sample. Approximately 69% of the professionals considered the disinfection chamber as a safe technology, and 75.10% considered it as an important and effective protective barrier for healthcare professionals in view of its application before the doffing process. The results found in this study demonstrate that the use of spray technology in the stage prior to the doffing process is acceptable to professionals, and that it can be an important tool for ensuring the additional protection of the professionals who work directly with patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19. contamination; disinfection; personal protective equipment; biocidal agent; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; healthcare workers +
Footnote †: journal: Applied sciences  
East [9; 10]. In Brazil, more than 31.3 million cases were reported by the beginning of June 2022, resulting in more than 667,000 deaths [10]. Brazil has reported the third largest number of cases worldwide, next only to the number of cases reported by the United States and India [10]. Even with the rapid development and availability of vaccines [11; 12], the high transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 associated with other factors has made COVID-19 the major public health concern in recent human history [13]. In the context of outbreaks and epidemics that are caused by infectious agents, new technologies and protocols have been proposed to efficiently exercise microbial control and reduce the infection rate [14; 15]. Previous studies have shown the benefits of using ultraviolet light devices for disinfecting hospital environments [16; 17], portable devices with spray systems for surface decontamination [3], and disinfection chambers using different biocidal agents [14; 18]. Due to the high transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2 [19; 20], the use of disinfection chambers has gained popularity for responding to the global demand for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic [21; 22]. In India, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed disinfection chambers to be used by individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, called Personal Hygiene Equipment. The equipment is for use in controlled access areas with heavy footfall, such as the entrance and exit areas of hospitals, malls, and business buildings [23]. Disinfection chambers using ozonized water, ozone, or other biocidal agents have been employed in different countries during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce transmission between individuals, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic [24; 25; 26; 27]. Previously, during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Africa, a proposed alternative was the spraying of chlorine at a concentration of 0.5% (5000 ppm) on animate and inanimate objects, including humans, to reduce the infection potential of this virus [28]. However, some mild or moderate adverse clinical effects have been reported, mainly by nurses and cleaning professionals, after prolonged exposure to this agent [28]. In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) does not recommend the use of disinfection chambers for direct use with individuals, regardless of the biocidal agent used [29].