Reopening Tribal Facilities Effective Cleaning and Disinfection Preventing Exposure to COVID-19

April 2021
www.epa.gov/coronavirus
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Pacific Southwest / Region 9
vvEPA
Reopening Tribal Facilities — Effective Cleaning and Disinfection
Preventing Exposure to COVID-19
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reaching out to provide important resources that can be used to
help clean and disinfect community facilities, such as schools, government buildings, and casinos, while also
protecting indoor air quality and preventing chemical exposures. EPA realizes this is an extremely challenging
time, and is aware that some tribes have been asked about the effectiveness of disinfectant products against the
coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This fact sheet provides you with helpful tools and resources to support
your reopening efforts.
In addition to ventilation, filtration, social distancing, wearing face masks and hand hygiene, a central feature
for containment of the coronavirus at tribal facilities will be effective cleaning and disinfection practices. In
many cases, thorough cleaning of surfaces with soap and water is adequate. For areas unoccupied for more than
7 days, only routine cleaning is needed. Disinfecting high-touch surfaces (tables, doorknobs, light switches,
countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.) is recommended for protecting
community members and staff from exposure to COVID-19.
Effective disinfection of these surfaces requires choos-
ing products registered by EPA as disinfectants against
COVID-19 and applying them exactly as instructed by
the product label. This may involve cleaning surfaces
with soap and water prior to disinfection and ensuring
that the product remains in contact with the surface long
enough to kill the coronavirus. All products that claim
to be effective against the coronavirus must be properly
tested and registered with EPA, and must also have an
EPA registration number. For information on how to
select effective disinfectants, see EPA's List N: Disinfec-
tants for Coronavirus (COVID-19): www.epa.gov/listn.
Please note that children should not apply disinfectants. Disinfectants bear a child-warning statement, so keep-
ing disinfectants out of reach of children is part of following the label directions. Ensure proper ventilation
during and after application. Wear protective equipment (e.g., gloves, glasses, masks) as indicated on the label
Avoid application when sensitive people may be exposed (children, individuals with respiratory illnesses, etc.).
Please be aware that EPA does not routinely review the safety or efficacy of pesticidal devices against corona-
virus. EPA cannot verify if or when it is appropriate to use pesticidal devices such as ozone generators, UV
lights, etc., nor confirm whether such products might be effective against the spread of coronavirus.
We sincerely thank you and appreciate all the hard work you and your staff are doing to keep tribal facilities
safe and healthy for all. In keeping with our mission to protect human health and the environment, we are here
to support your efforts to safely reopen your tribal facilities. Please feel free to share this fact sheet, including
the resource links on page 2, with tribal facility managers and staff.
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces at community facilities is
important for protecting community members and stafffrom
exposure to COVID-19.

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Resources
Web portal for EPA coronavirus and disinfection information:
www.epa.gov/coronavirus
EPA-registered disinfectant products effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19:
www.epa.gov/listn
This is updated regularly as new disinfecting practices and products are identified. The EPA registration
process ensures products are effective, safe, and properly labeled.
CDC reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting schools:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communitv/reopen-guidance.html
EPA coronavirus disinfection frequently asked questions (FAQs) web page:
www.epa.gov/coronavirus/freauent-auestions-about-disinfectants-and-coronavirus-covid-19
Difference between disinfectants, sanitizers and cleaners:
www.epa.gov/coronavirus/whats-difference-between-products-disinfect-sanitize-and-clean-surfaces
COVID-19 surface protection information:
www.epa.gov/coronavirus/there-anvthing-i-can-do-make-surfaces-resistant-sars-cov-2-covid-19
EPA-Centers for Disease Control guidance on proper disinfecting:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communitv/disinfecting-building-facilitv.html
EPA one-page infographic on disinfectants:
www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/disinfectants-onepager.pdf
Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19):
www.epa.gov/coronavirus/indoor-air-and-coronavirus-covid-19
National Tribal Air Association Indoor Air Quality website:
www.ntaatrihalair.org/indoor-air-qualitv
National Pesticides Information Center Disinfectant Safety During the COVID19 Pandemic webinar:
www.voutube.com/watch?v=epSOOTAMRc4
National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness:
www.whitehouse.gov/priorities/covid-19
For more information:
Find local EPA contacts by visiting www.epa.gov/pesticide-contacts and selecting 'Regional pesticide
contacts.' For local indoor air quality contacts, visit www.epa.gov/indoor-air-qualitv-iaq/epa-regional-
office-and-state-indoor-air-qualitv-information.

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