Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19

COVID-19 Disinfection Measures Pose Ecological Risk: Study Finds

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study assessing the ecological impact of COVID-19 pandemic disinfection measures has raised concerns over the use of 70% ethanol and bleach. Research conducted by the University of Brasilia found that both disinfectants induce acute toxicity in freshwater species at concentrations below their typical use levels. Specifically, the 24-h median effective concentration (EC50) of 70% ethanol for Ceriodaphnia dubia was 0.45% v/v (3.91 g/L), while the 24-h median lethal concentration (LC50) for Biomphalaria glabrata was 3.8% v/v (33 g/L). In comparison, bleach proved to be more toxic than 70% ethanol by five orders of magnitude for C. dubia and two for B. glabrata.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study assessed the acute toxicity of commercial 70% ethanol and bleach on two key freshwater species: Ceriodaphnia dubia and Biomphalaria glabrata.
  • The research found that both disinfectants induce acute toxicity at concentrations substantially below their typical use levels.
  • The 24-h median effective concentration (EC50) of 70% ethanol for Ceriodaphnia dubia was 0.45% v/v (3.91 g/L), while the 24-h median lethal concentration (LC50) for Biomphalaria glabrata was 3.8% v/v (33 g/L).
  • Bleach proved to be more toxic than 70% ethanol by five orders of magnitude for Ceriodaphnia dubia and two for Biomphalaria glabrata.
  • The study highlights the critical need for cautious use and continuous environmental monitoring of these disinfectants to mitigate their ecological impact.
  • The research underscores the importance of developing sustainable alternatives to mitigate the ecological impact of COVID-19 disinfection measures.

Statistics:

  • 24-h median effective concentration (EC50) of 70% ethanol for Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0.45% v/v (3.91 g/L)
  • 24-h median lethal concentration (LC50) for Biomphalaria glabrata using 70% ethanol: 3.8% v/v (33 g/L)
  • Bleach proved to be more toxic than 70% ethanol by five orders of magnitude for Ceriodaphnia dubia
  • Bleach proved to be more toxic than 70% ethanol by two orders of magnitude for Biomphalaria glabrata

Sources:

  • Acute Toxicity of Commercial Ethanol and Sodium Hypochlorite on Freshwater Species: Potential Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic Disinfection Measures. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2025;115(5):50.
  • Springer. (www.springer.com)
  • Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. (www.springerlink.com/content/0007-4861/)
  • University of Brasilia, Faculty UnB at Planaltina (FUP, UnB)
  • Darlan Quinta de Brito, Millena de Lima Ribeiro, Heloisa Castro de Aguiar, and Eduardo Cyrino Oliveira-Filho.

Read more