Despite the fact that the use of disinfectants has increased enormously since the corona pandemic, many Belgians do not use them correctly. This is evident from a survey that the FPS Public Health conducted in the spring of 2022 among 2,025 Belgians. The main reason for non-compliance with safety regulations is that users do not read the information on the packaging.
The survey came after the Poison Control Center recorded nearly 4,000 accidents in 2021 involving biocides, pesticides against bacteria, viruses, vermin and other organisms, both in humans and animals. Many accidents are related to “exploratory behavior of young children, mistakes between products, pouring over liquids or incorrect use”, the FPS explains. Due to the corona pandemic, the center recorded five times more accidents with alcohol gels compared to 2019. There were also one and a half times as many accidents with disinfectants for surfaces and rooms.
Through the survey, the government wanted to find out exactly how Belgians deal with disinfectants, both for the (scalp) skin and for surfaces. It showed that only one fifth of the respondents read the label completely before purchasing. Furthermore, a small proportion (5 to 8 percent) indicate that the label is difficult to read due to the text being too small, insufficient contrast with the background of the label or the vocabulary used.
Consequently, many Belgians do not use the products correctly. More than a third (36 percent) believe that alcohol gels cleanse the skin, which is not the case, while more than half (54 percent) are unaware of the expiration date or contact time necessary for the gel to work properly. Finally, 4 percent indicate that they have already mixed products with other products.
Many accidents can be avoided by following the instructions for use and by keeping the biocidal products in their original packaging and out of the reach of children and pets. The government agency is now going to look at how biocidal product labels can become “more accessible and more readable”.
