Coronavirus checklist: More than 100 disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

The advertising is leading many to wonder if these common grocery store aisle products can help protect you amid the quickly spreading and deadly novel coronavirus. The answer is maybe. Or, at least they can’t hurt.

While the coronavirus is not new -- it was discovered in the 1960s -- the virus that is affecting thousands today is a new version of the virus. Disinfectant products that have been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be effective against coronavirus in the past are thought to be effective for this version of the virus.

While EPA officials believe these disinfectants will be effective against the novel coronavirus, tests have yet to be completed that confirmed the disinfectants are able to kill this virus.

The Center for Biocide Chemistries has created a list of more than 100 ready-to-use, dilutable and wipeable biocidal products that the EPA has approved as effective at killing viruses like the coronavirus.

According to the CBC website, the organization is maintaining this list of antimicrobials that have proven to be effective against stronger pathogens, such as norovirus or Ebola.

"The 2019 novel coronavirus is not your typical household cold …" said Komal K. Jain, executive director of CBC. "We know it is concerning that this virus is having widespread impact. Our members have spent decades conducting research to develop products that can be used safely and are effective in cases such as the novel coronavirus outbreak. There are antimicrobial products in the market that have been tested against hundreds of pathogens in order to facilitate rapid identification of products that EPA presumes will be effective against novel pathogens in instances such as the current outbreak."

CBC has verified the list of products, all of which are in compliance with EPA’s “emerging viral pathogen” guidance for antimicrobial products.

Coronavirus spreads through direct contact, including person to person and person to surface to person, the CDC says. By using disinfectants on surfaces, the spread of the virus may be slowed. "Antimicrobial products on CBC's List of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Fighting Products have been tested to stop the spread of pathogens from hard surfaces and have received EPA's approval that the products are not expected to cause unreasonable adverse effects when used in accordance with their labels," Jain said. "Public health organizations should feel confident that the products included on CBC's list are available to help protect the public from the spread of the novel coronavirus."

Here is the list: