HOCl Scientific Information on the Web
The CDC has bleach and hypochlorous acid on the list of 33 chemicals to disinfect COVID19, The active ingredient in bleach that kills pathogens is HOCl, but in bleach when diluted to the recommended use of 10:1, the percentage of HOCL is less than 10%. HOCl solutions are easily made to have over 99% HOCl, and are non-toxic and non-corrosive. $.05 / gallon when made instead of purchased.
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Hypochlorous Acid: A Review Michael S. Block, DMD,* and Brian G. Rowan, DMD,
“An ideal disinfectant and sanitizer must be nontoxic to surface contact, noncorrosive, effective in various forms, and relatively inexpensive. HOCl may be the
disinfectant of choice for coronaviruses in an oralmaxillofacial surgery (OMS) office. HOCl is an endogenous substance in all mammals and is effective against a broad range of microorganisms.”
“Individuals working in the dental and medical field using surgical and high-speed handpieces are at risk from aerosolization.”
“When HOCl solutions were sprayed directly onto sheets containing the virus for 10 seconds, the solutions of 100 and 200 ppm inactivated AIV immediately. The 50-ppm solution required at least 3 minutes of contact time. These data suggest that HOCl can be used in spray form to inactivate AIV. When the aerosol was not sprayed directly onto an inoculated surface, a lower amount of solution had a chance to come into contact with the AIV. It required at least 10 minutes of contact to be effective. The ability of a sprayer to make smaller particles may help a solution’s molecules to be suspended in the air for a longer period because of their low settling velocity rate. This may increase the solution’s chance of coming into contact with pathogens and inactivating them. Thus, the fogger used should have an aerosol size less than 20 microns.”
NOTE: Most foggers with this criteria are $500 to over $1,000. I found one for $115 where the claim is less than 20 microns, but I don’t have a way to test it. The mist appears to be very fine, and would be effective. If sprayed quickly, wiping may not be necessary. Wiping with the proper microfiber cloth is suggested as an additional step, if you have the time.
PDF of study available HERE.
Many more HOCl studies HERE.
As you are aware, we have other strong disinfectant agents at our disposal. Bleach is widely used in hospitals and medical practices and shares the same chlorine family as HOCl. Research shows that they both kill bacteria, fungus, spores, and viruses. Yet bleach is highly irritating to the eyes, skin, and lungs-and inhalation over long periods could be carcinogenic. In contrast, HOCl has a temporary and mild chlorine smell that dissipates quickly, it is non-irritating, and it does not have poisonous side effects.
Alcohol is a popular disinfectant to use in clinic for wiping down instruments, furniture, and is a key ingredient in hand sanitizers. Ethyl alcohol (70%) is considered more effective compared to isopropyl alcohol. Both are bactericidal, fungicidal, and viricidal but are not effective against bacterial spores.3
Hand sanitizers with alcohol are used daily in many medical offices, but over time repeated use may lead to hand dermatitis. I became allergic to hand sanitizers after using it for many months in clinic. It was extremely irritating and embarrassing to have a rash on my hands. After discontinuing hand sanitizers and using latex free gloves, it still took months for my hand dermatitis to resolve. In one study, the prevalence of contact dermatitis related to hand hygiene ranged from 25 to 55 percent. Fortunately, HOCl acid can also be used in place of hand sanitizer with no irritating side effects. Moreover, punch HOCL delivers to pathogens is more powerful than the one delivered by alcohol.
The pH is important because HOCl will be the dominant free chlorine molecule between pH 5 and 7. You can measure the pH with standard pH test paper.
At pH 5, over 99% of the free chlorine molecules will be HOCl. At pH 6, over 90% of the free chlorine molecules will be HOCl.
At pH 7, over 80% of the free chlorine molecules will be HOCl.
At pH 8, only 20% of the free chlorine molecules will be HOCl.
How long is the disinfectant active after being generated from the EcoloxTech system?
In a closed container such as a spray bottle, the concentration of hypochlorous acid decreases about 1% per day. For example, if you generate 200 ppm, it should maintain above 180 ppm after 2-4 weeks
if stored at room temperature and protected from UV light.
Can hypochlorous acid be sprayed using a fogging or misting device?
Yes, but it is important that the device be a cold fogging device and not a thermal fogging device.
Heating up hypochlorous acid will denature the molecule and can generate chlorine gas.
https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/hypochlorous-acid-harnessing-natures-germ-killer
On first reflection, a chlorine-based disinfectant would not necessarily spring to mind as the disinfectant
that meets all of these ideal needs. Sodium hypochlorite is the most widely used chlorine-based surface disinfectant
but has some known drawbacks, notably: inactivation in organic matter; it is corrosive to some metals; and it will leave a particulate residue.
However, all chlorine disinfectants are not the same. Advances in production methodologies have allowed the creation of a disinfectant that
meets all of the requirements above.
Chlorine first began to be used as a disinfectant in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Liquid bleach – sodium hypochlorite –
came into widespread use in the 1930s and today it is the most widely used of all the chlorinated bleaches.
Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) is the most effective disinfectant in the chlorine family available in dilute solution.
It is suggested that HOCL is 80 to 120 times more efficacious than sodium hypochlorite.5 Because HOCL has no charge
and has a relatively low molecular weight it is better able than the other chlorine based disinfectants to penetrate the cell walls.
It also reacts more rapidly than other chlorine-based disinfectants to oxidation reactions with organic matter, i.e. the critical components
of microbial cells. Conversely the hypochlorite ion is a relatively poor disinfectant because of its inability to diffuse through the cell wall.
Since it is negatively charged it is electrostatically repelled from the cell walls, which are also negatively charged.
It is much larger in size than an HOCL molecule so it also diffuses more slowly due to its larger size.
Can hypochlorous acid revolutionise hospital cleaning?
During this pandemic we have been fogging, but on a smaller scale; by using desktop fogging units
within workplaces, offices, schools, hairdressers and dental surgeries, to name but a few applications
where people have benefited from the use of our non-toxic HOCL, which can be safely breathed in over the course of a working day.
The safety our HOCL product offers can be clearly seen within our safety data sheet: it is unique when compared to the many other
chemicals within the market, as the safety data will clearly show.
In addition to using HOCl in the form of wipes for disinfecting, using HOCl vapors through a fogging machine is an economical way to disinfect a
large operating room or suite in which aerosols were produced during surgery.
HOCl is one disinfectant that, when combined with adequate personal protective equipment, screening and
social-distancing techniques, hand washing, and high-volume evacuation suction, may help reduce the transmission of COVID-19
in the outpatient OMS setting. It comprises many of the desired effects of the ideal disinfectant: It is easy to use, is inexpensive,
has a good safety profile, and can be used to disinfect large areas
quickly and with a broad range of bactericidal and virucidal effects.
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the perfect weapon to fight germs. It hits hard against pathogens like Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa. Yet this powerful weapon is 100 percent safe for humans, chemical free,
non-toxic and all-natural. That’s an impressive combination. It has been used in the medical field for over a century.
Before antibiotics were available, HOCl was used to irrigate and disinfect wounds in World War I. It is now used in everyday settings including
daycare centers, hospitals, and even produce sections in grocery stores.
Hypochlorous Acid Is the Skin-Care Ingredient You Want to Be Using These Days
It provides a ton of good-for-your-skin benefits and is also an EPA-registered disinfectant that even works against COVID-19.
If you’ve never head of hypochlorous acid, mark my words, you soon will. While the ingredient isn’t exactly new,
it’s become extremely buzzy as of late. Why all the hype? Well, not only is it an effective skin-care ingredient,
delivering a litany of benefits, but it’s also an effective disinfectant that even works against SARS-CoV-2
(aka the coronavirus). If that’s not newsworthy, I don’t know what is.
How Can Hypochlorous Acid Benefit Your Skin?
In a word (or two), a lot. The antimicrobial effects of HOCl make it useful for fighting acne and skin infections;
it’s also anti-inflammatory, is soothing, repairs damaged skin, and speeds up wound healing, says Dr. Henry. In short,
it’s a great option for acne sufferers, as well as those dealing with
chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
How Does Hypochlorous Acid Work Against COVID-19?
To that point, remember how I said that HOCl has anti-viral effects? Well, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,
is officially one of the viruses that HOCl can takedown. The EPA recently added the ingredient to their official list of
disinfectants effective against the coronavirus. Now that this has happened, there will be a lot more non-toxic cleaning products
coming out that contain hypochlorous acid, points out Dr. Henry. And, because creating HOCl is fairly simple—it’s made by electrically
charging salt, water, and vinegar, a process known as electrolysis…
“HOCl can be effective during the pandemic because it sanitizes the surface of the skin, as well as helps reduce skin
conditions exacerbated by wearing masks,” says Dr. Henry.
When and how should you use your new spray? Keep in mind that to actually reap the disinfecting prowess of HOCl,
the concentration of the ingredient needs to be 50 parts per million—
higher than what you’ll find in topical products.
Try misting it on your (masked) face while you’re out in public or on a flight. Or, use it to give your skin a quickie clean and
to help ward off maskne or other mask-induced irritation once you get home. And Petrillo notes that a hypochlorous spray can also be a good
option for cleaning your makeup brushes and tools,
ensuring they aren’t riddled with germs that you’re repeatedly transferring to and from your face.
https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/hypochlorous-acid-skin-care
By: Melanie Forti, Program Director
As you may know (or even have experienced), the fumes from bleach are very strong. When it’s inhaled, it may cause a variety of health problems. Bleach is very irritating and corrosive to the skin, lungs, and eyes. As well, it has been known to burn human tissue internally or externally. On top of this- it may cause skin rash, extreme headaches, migraines, muscle weakness, abdominal discomfort, esophageal perforation, nausea and vomiting. In addition, it can damage the nervous system.
People that have a respiratory problem should avoid the use of bleach because it can worsen especially people suffering from asthma and allergies. Other symptoms may occur such as stinging sensation in the eyes and nose, coughing and breath shortness. Bleach fumes can accumulate and linger in poorly-ventilated homes. Indoor air becomes polluted with toxins, endangering the health of all those who breathe it in.
As parents, we hope and try to provide our children with a safe and healthy environment. However when children and pets for that matter are exposed to bleach and bleach fumes they can become very susceptible to the adverse health effects because their immune systems cannot fight off the harsh chemicals and their lungs are smaller and can fill with the toxic fumes. Even the passive or indirect exposure to bleach can cause childhood respiratory illness and other infections.
THE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE: When HOCl solutions were sprayed directly on the virus on rayon sheets for 10 sec, the solutions of 100 and 200 ppm could inactivate AIV immediately after spraying, while 50 ppm solution required at least 3 min of contact time. In the indirect spray form, after 10 sec of spraying, the lids of the dishes were opened to expose the virus on rayon sheets to HOCl. In this form, the 200 ppm solution inactivated AIV within 10 min of contact, while 50 and 100 ppm could not inactivate it. These data suggest that HOCl can be used in spray form to inactivate AIV at the farm level.
My note: 200 ppm with a ph between 5 and 6 ( 5 results in 99% HOCl. Ph6 produces 90% HOCl) is the optimum output. As a spray or in a desktop cold humidifier for home, car, clothes, produce, masks, pet and baby toys, that level is very effective. Spraying without wiping kills germs. I’ll add more studies as needed.
Attention Restaurant Owners – Surface Sanitation
Hypochlorous Acid vs. Quaternary Ammonium (Quats)
Hypochlorous acid has advantages over chemicals such as Quats when sanitizing food contact surfaces because Quats are not safe on food. Before cleaning with Quats, all food must be removed from the area before sanitation can take place. This is not required when using hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid can be used continuously throughout the work day regardless of whether food is exposed.