The following information is based on the CDC guidelines and the EPA’s list of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). VEX Robotics reviewed the chemical interactions of our product materials and the approved disinfectants to create these recommendations.
Disinfecting Products to Use and Avoid
Common cleaners to use for VEX items
- Clorox or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes
- Lysol or Clorox Disinfectant Spray
See Appendix A and Appendix B for more products approved by the EPA.
Look for cleaners that list these items:
- Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Saccharinate (also called Quaternary ammonium)
- (optional) Ethanol or Ethyl alcohol
Cleaner ingredients to avoid for VEX items
- Do Not use liquids of any type on electronics.
- Do Not use isopropyl alcohol on plastic.
- Do Not use bleach on plastic.
VEX Products Disinfecting Method
VEX 123
- Wipe the Robot, Coder, Charger and Cables
- Spray or Wipe all other items
VEX GO
- Wipe the Brain, Battery, Motors, Sensors and Charger
- Spray or Wipe all other items
VEX IQ
- Wipe the Brain, Battery, Motors, Sensors, Cables and Chargers.
- Spray or Wipe all other items
Cautions for VEX IQ
- Avoid wiping the metal battery contacts on the Battery, Brain and Charger.
- Avoid pushing on the screen on the Ultrasonic Rangefinder Sensor.
VEX V5
- Wipe the Brain, Battery, Motors, Sensors, Cables and Chargers.
- Spray or Wipe all other items
VEX Cortex
- Wipe the Brain, Battery, Motors, Sensors, Cables and Chargers.
- Spray or Wipe all other items
Disinfecting Wipe Procedure
- Wear gloves.
- Wipe the entire outside of the VEX item.
- Do not manually dry the item.
- Let the disinfectant dry on its own.
- Replace the wipe when it no longer leaves disinfectant behind.
Avoid getting moisture in any opening of electronic items.
Disinfecting Spray Procedure
- Wear gloves.
- Spread the parts out so they can be sprayed with good coverage.
- Spread parts out on the VEX storage lid, sheet tray or box.
- Spray all the items.
- Do not manually dry the item.
- Let the disinfectant dry on its own.
Do not spray electronic items.
Disinfecting with Time
- Wait for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to decay naturally.
- Leave the products untouched for the time period recommended below.
“Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.” [1]
“SARS-CoV-2 was more stable on plastic and stainless steel than on copper and cardboard, and viable virus was detected up to 72 hours after application to these surfaces.” [2]
References and Notes
CDC and EPA guidance related to VEX products:
The CDC advised to “Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.”[1]
VEX note: the highly touched VEX items are easy to disinfect.
The CDC advised to “Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between use.” [3]
VEX note: One option is to assign one robot kit to one student at a time. Disinfect or wait between students. Students not assigned a VEX kit can use VEXcode VR as an alternative.
The EPA provided a product list that “meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.” [4]
VEX note: The appropriate disinfectant to be used on VEX items is commonly available wipes such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (all scents) with Quaternary ammonium compounds as the active ingredient.[2]
References:
- CDC guideline CS316485C dated April 28, 2020 1:36 PM
- Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1
- Considerations for Schools Updated May 19, 2020
- EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) July 16, 2020
Links to related information
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) | US EPA
- Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
- How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu
- Interim Recommendations for US Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Chemical Resistance Chart for Plastic
Appendix A - Wipes approved by the EPA
| EPA Registration Number | Active Ingredients | Product Name | Company | Required Surface Contact Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9480-9 | Quaternary ammonium | AF3 Germicidal Disposable Wipe | Professional Disposables International Inc | 3 |
| 67619-31 | Quaternary ammonium |
Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes |
Clorox Professional Products Company | 4 |
| 5813-79 | Quaternary ammonium | Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | The Clorox Company | 4 |
| 67619-37 | Quaternary ammonium | Clorox Healthcare® VersaSure® Wipes | Clorox Professional Products Company | 5 |
| 6836-313 | Quaternary ammonium | Lonza Disinfectant Wipes | Lonza LLC | 10 |
| 6836-336 | Quaternary ammonium | Lonza Disinfectant Wipes Plus | Lonza LLC | 10 |
| 6836-340 | Quaternary ammonium | Lonza Disinfectant Wipes Plus 2 | Lonza LLC | 10 |
| 777-114 | Quaternary ammonium | Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes (All Scents) | Reckitt Benckiser LLC | 2 |
| 6836-372 | Quaternary ammonium | Nugen 2m Disinfectant Wipes | Lonza LLC | 2 |
| 6836-382 | Quaternary ammonium | Nugen Low Streak Disinfectant Wipes | Lonza LLC | 4 |
| 6836-379 | Quaternary ammonium | Nugen NR Disinfectant Wipes | Lonza LLC | 5 |
| 70144-4 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Opti-cide Max Wipes | Micro-Scientific LLC | 1 |
| 88494-4 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Peak Disinfectant Wipes | North American Infection Control Ltd | 1 |
| 1839-223 | Quaternary ammonium | SCTB Wipe | Stepan Company | 5 |
| 1839-190 | Quaternary ammonium | Stepan Disinfectant Wipe | Stepan Company | 10 |
| 88494-2 | Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol); Quaternary ammonium | Wedge Disinfectant Wipes | North American Infection Control Ltd | 1 |
Appendix B - Sprays approved by the EPA
| EPA Registration Number | Active Ingredients | Product Name | Company | Required Surface Contact Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9480-11 | Quaternary ammonium | BackSpray RTU | Professional Disposables International Inc | 5 |
| 498-179 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Champion Sprayon Spray Disinfectant Formula 3 | Chase Products Co | 10 |
| 706-111 | Quaternary ammonium | Claire Disinfectant Spray Q | Claire Manufacturing Company | 5 |
| 67619-21 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) |
Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Disinfecting Spray |
Clorox Professional Products Company | 10 |
| 1839-83 | Quaternary ammonium | Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray | Stepan Company | 10 |
| 11525-30 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Disinfectant Spray "G" | Aerosols Danville Inc | 10 |
| 777-99 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Lysol® Disinfectant Spray | Reckitt Benckiser LLC | 2 |
| 67603-4 | Quaternary ammonium; Ethanol (Ethyl alcohol) | Spray Disinfectant | Sherwin Williams Diversified Brands | 10 |
| 6659-3 | Quaternary ammonium | Spray Nine | ITW Permatex Inc | 0.5 (30 seconds) |
| 1839-248 | Quaternary ammonium | Stepan Spray Disinfectant Concentrate | Stepan Company | 5 |
VEX Robotics does not make any representation or warranties that the above steps will kill COVID-19 (any other viruses) and/or prevent the spread of any disease. Please use this guide as a supplement to any recommended guidelines from the CDC, medical professionals, or school district / local / state officials.