Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 16 - 30 of 39 results

• Can running the HVAC system in my home help protect me from COVID-19?

  By itself, running your HVAC system is not enough to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19. However, when used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating the HVAC system can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• What’s the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces?

  At EPA, products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides. Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides. Action What does it do? Does EPA regulate the product? Cleaning Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents. EPA regulates cleaning products…

  • Last published: October 28, 2024

• Is a lead-based paint inspection sufficient to determine compliance with requirements of the RRP rule?

  Question: Is a lead-based paint inspection, performed by a certified inspector or risk assessor, that includes a written determination that various building components are free of paint or other surface coatings containing lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligrams per square centimeter (mg/cm2) or 0.5% by weight sufficient…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• When testing a property for the presence of lead prior to beginning a renovation using an EPA-recognized lead test kit, must I test every component affected by the renovation?

  Answer: Yes. Because certified renovator training does not cover sampling protocols, certified renovators using EPA-recognized lead test kits or performing paint chip sampling to determine the applicability of the RRP Rule must test each and every component that will be affected in order to determine that the RRP Rule does…

  • Last published: November 20, 2024

• What is Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)? What is HVAC UVGI? Can either be used to disinfect the air and help protect myself from COVID?

  A professionally designed system of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) that is well installed and maintained can effectively kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and help protect people from the disease indoors. Typically, UVGI systems are installed near a room ceiling (upper-room UVGI) or inside the HVAC system of a building…

  • Last published: December 5, 2024

• I have a question about a word or phrase on the List N website. I’m not sure how something on List N helps me fight COVID-19.

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. List N is a list of products that EPA expects will kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, when used according to…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024

• Will EPA take enforcement action against companies making false claims that their disinfectants work against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Yes, EPA is authorized to take enforcement action to prevent the sale or distribution of disinfectants with false or misleading claims on…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024

• Is ventilation important for indoor air quality when cleaning and/or sanitizing for COVID-19 indoors?

  When cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19, ventilation is important. Using EPA-registered cleaning and disinfecting products according to their label instructions is the best way to ensure that any indoor air pollution risks are reduced while still maintaining the effectiveness of the disinfecting product. In particular, follow any label precautions that…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• What is a DIY air cleaner, and can it help protect homes from COVID-19?

  Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners are indoor air cleaners that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or furnace) filters. A variety of designs exist, using a single fan and one to five air filters. In its simplest form, a single filter is attached to the front or back…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Is there anything I can do to make surfaces resistant to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA regulates the claims on pesticide product labels. EPA-registered surface disinfectants kill viruses at the time they are used. After use, if…

  • Last published: August 7, 2024

• Can I use common household substances to kill the novel coronavirus?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA does not review effectiveness of common household ingredients like vinegar or rubbing alcohol, so EPA cannot verify how well they work…

  • Last published: August 7, 2024

• I am an owner/agent for an apartment community built prior to 1978. In 2004, testing of a random sample of units were negative for lead paint but positive for lead dust. With the positive lead dust result, are we required to comply with the RRP Rule?

  No. As long as the determination that the units are free of lead-based paint was made by an inspector or risk assessor certified by EPA or by an authorized State or Tribal program, renovations in the building are not covered by the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule…

  • Last published: November 14, 2024

• If a property is tested by a certified renovator, inspector, or risk assessor and found to be free of lead-based paint, does any testing need to be done again if work is done on the property several years later?

  Where a certified renovator uses an EPA-recognized lead test kit or performs paint chip sampling to determine that a component is free of lead-based paint, or a lead-based paint free determination is made by a certified inspector or risk assessor, firms performing renovations on the same components may rely on…

  • Last published: November 19, 2024

• Is there HVAC guidance that building and maintenance professionals can follow to help protect from COVID-19?

  The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed proactive guidance to help address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. Read ASHRAE guidance . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also developed guidelines…

  • Last published: December 5, 2024

• What is an emerging viral pathogen claim?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases defines “emerging infectious diseases/pathogens” as those “that have newly appeared in a population or…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024