Dr Daniela Romano and Dr Heather Moore , regulatory affairs managers for biocidal products at Knoell look at the environmental issues related to biocides in wipes *
Can disinfectant wipes be sustainable ?
Dr Daniela Romano and Dr Heather Moore , regulatory affairs managers for biocidal products at Knoell look at the environmental issues related to biocides in wipes *
Wipes imbued with biocidal products are commonly used to disinfect hard surfaces in various environments , such as healthcare facilities , households , public areas , and industrial and manufacturing settings . These wipes are formulated using chemical agents with the purpose of eliminating or controlling microorganisms on surfaces .
With the increase of awareness about sustainability , the potential effects of wipes on the environment and human wellbeing become subject to scrutiny . Many are made of non-biodegradable materials , such as polyester or polypropylene ( PP ), which can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment . Since they cannot be safely disposed of in landfill sites or through traditional wastewater treatment processes , the accumulation of wipes in the environment can cause pollution , sewer blockages and other problems .
The biocidal products ( BPs ) used in wipes can have toxic effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms once they are released into the environment . In addition , the production of BPs can result in the release of pollutants into the air , soil and water . Finally , the production , use and disposal of wipes can require significant amounts of energy and water , which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems .
Under the EU ’ s Chemical Strategy for Sustainability , chemicals and materials must be inherently safe and sustainable , from production to end of life , while new production processes and technologies must be deployed to allow the chemical industry ’ s transition to climate neutrality . Therefore , the R & D stage of the development of pre-moistened wipes should have sustainability , health and environmental safety in mind .
Types of wipes
The fabric used for the wipe substrate can impact their performance and suitability for specific applications . Non-woven fabrics are made by bonding short or long fibres together , mechanically , thermally or chemically . For this reason , they may not be as durable as other materials and may break down or tear during use , unless they are designed for professional use . Nevertheless , they are the most used material for disinfectant wipes because they are cost-effective , single-use and can be manufactured to different levels of absorbency . They are generally made from materials like polyester or PP .
Woven fabrics , such as cotton or polyester , are a type of textile made by interlacing two or more sets of yarns or threads at right angles to form a stable and more durable fabric than non-wovens . For this reason , they can be washed and reused
multiple times . However , they may not be as absorbent as non-wovens .
Microfibre wipes are made from a blend of polyester and nylon fibres , and are designed to be highly absorbent and effective at removing dirt and debris from surfaces . They can be used with or without disinfectant and can be washed and reused multiple times . However , they can be more expensive than other types and may require special washing and care instructions to maintain their effectiveness .
To develop a more sustainable approach , a number of biodegradable wipes are becoming available on the market , for example : bamboo- , cotton- , wood pulp- and cellulose-based wipes . They are all biodegradable and can be composted .
It is important to note that not all wipes labelled as ‘ biodegradable ’ are environmentally friendly . Some still contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the environment during
38 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981