Jeonghee Kim, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Calls for 'School Disinfection Guidelines'

Classroom Scene Criticized for Indiscriminate Use of Antibacterial Wet Wipes

Jeonghee Kim, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Kim Jeong-hee, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Suncheon 5), pointed out the need for meticulous and unified guidelines for on-site classroom disinfection.

According to Assemblyman Kim Jeong-hee on the 18th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' COVID-19 response guidelines for disinfecting collective and multi-use facilities specify disinfectant ingredients, disinfection methods, once-daily disinfection, and precautions. In particular, benzalkonium chloride, a representative COVID-19 disinfectant among quaternary ammonium compounds, is one of three substances regulated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as an ingredient that can be used as a liquid quasi-drug disinfectant.

However, this product was previously used as a humidifier disinfectant, and there was significant controversy over its toxicity when inhaled in gaseous form. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' disinfection guidelines also specify toxicity due to inhalation, so caution is necessary.

Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Frontline schools in Jeonnam are not implementing disinfection according to the guidelines," and added, "A certain middle school in Yeosu used a product mainly composed of citric acid, which is not certified and not included in the disinfection guidelines, for disinfection."

He continued, "When disinfecting classroom desks and chairs, due to the burden of large budgets and costs, students themselves wipe desks and chairs with antibacterial wet wipes, and helpers disinfect entrances, restrooms, and corridors. The antibacterial wet wipe products that students directly touch and use for disinfection contain ingredients such as sodium hypochlorite, alcohol, and ammonium compounds," he added.

Furthermore, he emphasized, "Although benzalkonium chloride is an ingredient recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, indiscriminate use should be avoided. For safety, students should be prohibited from using it for purposes other than washing their faces, and they should be educated on precautions to avoid getting it in their eyes."

He then asserted, "When distributing disinfection guidelines to schools, proactive measures should be taken to ensure they are used according to the correct disinfection manual," and "Detailed and unified guidelines that comply with disinfection instructions are necessary."

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