Sanitising/disinfecting chemicals used on public transport
Request ID: FOI-0128-2223 Date published: 17 May 2022
You asked
Kindly advise whether the sanitising/disinfecting chemicals used on public transport are non-toxic, non-irritant, environmentally and ecologically safe.
If the use of these chemicals is sub-contracted to a third party cleaning company, kindly advise their contact details.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0128-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 20 April 2022, asking for information about sanitising/disinfecting chemicals used on public transport.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
We have taken a huge range of actions to make public transport safe, clean and welcoming as customers continue to return to the network. We have intensified our rigorous cleaning regime and installed more than a thousand hand sanitiser points.
The three main disinfection products that we’ve been using on our network since April 2020 are listed below;
Guardicide, disinfectant. This product has no classification under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations and would therefore not be classed as irritant or toxic. The product is regarded as biodegradable, with no bioaccumulation potential.
Zoono fogging system. This product has no classification under the CLP regulations and would therefore not be classed as irritant or toxic. The product is regarded as biodegradable, with no bioaccumulation potential. However, the safety data sheet indicates that it would have some effect on aquatic life as would any similar such product. A risk assessment was undertaken on the use of this product and it was concluded that there was no increased safety risk to staff and customers. It was therefore considered acceptable for use on that basis.
Dettol hand sanitiser. This is an alcohol based product and is classified under CLP as Irritant and highly flammable. Eye contact would therefore cause serious irritation. As the product is based on ethanol, it is classified as biodegradable and non-toxic.
The Zoono and Gaurdicide products are supplied via our cleaning services provider, ABM. We have a commercial sponsorship deal with the London Underground and Dettol, as part of this arrangement Dettol is provided on the London Underground.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
