Masks? Check. Hand sanitizer? Check.
Steam vaporizer infused with vinegar? Health experts aren’t so sure about that one.
A kindergarten in Kowloon Tong had reportedly placed vaporizers spewing steamed vinegar at the entrance of the school, sparking concern among parents wondering what exactly their children are breathing in.
The school said that the machines expels vaporizes water mixed with “2% vinegar,” according to Apple Daily Thursday, and cited an article published on the Harvard University School of Public Health’s website stating that “acetic acid in vinegar is strong enough to kill some household pathogens.”
But local health experts advise against using the machines.
William Chui, president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong, said hospitals avoid using atomized mist because bacteria can latch onto these droplets, effectively making them a medium to spread.
He added there is always possibility of chemicals causing an allergic reaction such as rashes or other types of skin irritation, especially in the case of children who would have thinner skin than adults.
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“It could also irritate the nose, throat and even the lungs. If the children, or adults, have asthma, it could trigger an asthma attack,” Chui said.
Kenneth Kwong, a former lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, disputed the claim that vinegar is an effective disinfectant, explaining that it would require 30 minutes of exposure for pathogens to be killed.
Apple Daily said that the school has already stopped using the machines to put parents’ concerns to rest. Coconuts Hong Kong has reached out to the school for confirmation.
Vinegar is generally believed to have cleaning properties due to its acidity, making it a popular household cleanser when mixed with water.
And while studies suggest it is effective against certain food-borne pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, its use as a disinfectant is limited. There is no evidence that it can kill the virus that causes COVID-19.
