Hey Ms. Green!

How can I disinfect for the coronavirus and not trigger asthma?

—Jing in San Francisco, California

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc around the world. But it is actually "fairly wimpy," said Juan Leon, an environmental health scientist at Emory University, in an interview for Science.

That doesn't mean you should use any disinfectant to kill it. Some can be toxic to you as well. Common cleaners and those with fragrances often contain ingredients such as bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, and phenolic compounds, which can cause asthma, a runny nose, shortness of breath, dizziness, and other health problems. A 2019 study in JAMA Network revealed that nurses who regularly use or are exposed to bleach are at an elevated risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

I spoke to Dr. Chris Geiger, the toxics reduction senior coordinator for the city of San Francisco, about the products that are effective and safer for your health. Sorry to say, my favorite homemade cleaner, white vinegar, doesn't cut it. However, two common plant-based disinfectants are effective against the coronavirus: Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner and Method Antibac. 

Don't just spray and wipe! Disinfectants take time to work. Follow the instructions on the bottle, which might include surprising or counter­intuitive information on how to kill germs.