Use of Lysol

To prevent the spread of leptospirosis, health minister Achmad Sujudi has called on the public to spray their houses with Lysol, have their garbage taken away and put some chlorine into clean water. One thing to be careful about in this respect is the use of Lysol.

Lysol, a trademark for a generic substance called Liquor Cresolis Saponatus, has cresol as its active substance. Compared with new disinfectants and antiseptics, cresol is weak. It is good for vegetative bacteria and fungi, but will be powerless against viruses and spores.

To be able to mix easily with water, cresol is saponated, or mixed with soap, a process that further weakens its potency.

Therefore, before the public buys Lysol, I propose that the health minister should instruct the research and development agency of the health ministry to examine whether or not Lysol is effective in killing leptospires.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO

Jakarta