SQM and Municipality of María Elena Distribute Health Kits to Every Home

Teamwork has become an important component of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. In view of this, the company and local officials are working tirelessly to sanitize public spaces and distribute cleaning and disinfecting kits to every home in María Elena.

Given the importance of social distancing and daily preventative cleaning, SQM and the municipality of María Elena are sanitizing public spaces and distributing home cleaning and disinfection kits to every household. The kit includes a thermometer, spray bottle containing quaternary ammonium, rubber gloves, goggles, two washable masks, ten disposable masks, hand sanitizers, a set of cloths and an informational flyer that explains how to correctly clean and disinfect one’s house.

This contribution is complemented with a radio campaign that reinforces how to protect one’s home during this pandemic, the correct use of quaternary ammonium and how to disinfect surfaces.

“As heirs to the nitrates industry, our commitment to María Elena is always one of our priorities. In this case, we have strengthened that with a robust program focused on four areas: health, social wellbeing, economic reactivation and healthy living,” noted SQM’s Director of Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs, Pablo Pisani.

The executive added that “the company’s contributions will be updated based on the measures taken by local and regional officials. In this case, there is an urgent need to limit contagion by reinforcing health measures. We have also supported efforts to strengthen and increase the response capacity of hospitals and healthcare units, providing medical supplies, personal protection equipment and respirators.”

Quaternary Ammonium

Quaternary ammonium solution is particularly useful for bathrooms, walls and other surfaces that can be washed with water. It should be applied using an atomizer, mop, cloth or rag because it is an alkaline product and should be handled and crushed while wearing rubber gloves, goggles and a mask.

If the solution splashes into someone’s eyes, they should rinse them out with a gentle stream of water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if it continues to bother them. If the solution comes into contact with the skin, wash the area carefully with running water and apply moisturizer if the skin becomes irritated. If the product spills, clean it up with paper towels and store the waste in a receptacle.

Finally, it is important to remember that the quaternary ammonium sprayer should be replaced every seven days. Families should keep the bottle and replace the liquid disinfectant.