NIH stated “HOCl may be the disinfectant of choice for coronaviruses. HOCl fogging is the decontamination technique that best suits the needs of the dental clinic [or any space] with its ability to disinfect large areas by producing small, aerosolized particles to control noroviruses.
Another NIH study determined that a no-touch fogging dispensing of HOCl at a low concentration of 20-200 ppm reduces the virus transmission from one site to another.
HOCl has been shown to inactivate a variety of viruses including coronaviruses in less than 1 minute. At a concentration of 200 ppm, HOCl is effective in decontaminating inert surfaces carrying noroviruses and other enteric viruses in a 1-minute contact time.
In addition to the use of HOCl as a liquid-based disinfectant, fogging with hypochlorous vapor has shown virucidal activity against numerous types of viruses and bacteria
This is of potential benefit to disinfect large spaces such as medical and dental offices [or any environment] where aerosols can be airborne for extended periods.
Another NIH study has shown that fogged HOCl was able to decontaminate environmental surfaces carrying antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistant) and Acinetobacter.
The above linked NIH studies evaluated fogging at the exact particle size range that the Genesis Fogger produces (range of generated droplets evaluated was between 20 and 50 μm).
The decontamination technique that best suits the needs of the dental clinic is hypochlorous acid which can be sprayed via a device at high turbine speed with the ability of producing small aerosol particles, recommendable also for their low cost.
NIH also wrote “HOCl is used in the treatment of [eye inflammation] by reducing the bacterial load on the surface of the eye.” It is safe and used for nasal irrigation in patients affected by chronic sinusitis. A study showed a low (0.85%) concentration HOCl solution can be used as an effective nasal irrigation solution.
Note: This study specifies that no-touch methods, such as HOCl fogging, augment standard manual cleaning and disinfecting protocol.
HOCl – The Gold Standard of Disinfection
- The results of a third NIH study indicate that hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can be used with a high predictability for disinfecting against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) virus.
Hypochlorous Acid: A Review
- An ideal disinfectant and sanitizer must be nontoxic to surface contact, noncorrosive, effective in various forms, and relatively inexpensive.
- The results indicate that HOCl can be used with a high predictability for disinfecting.
- The mechanism of disinfection involves the destroying of the cell wall of microbes or viruses, allowing the disinfectant to destroy or inactivate them.
- HOCl is also recommended for its low cost compared to products commonly used for disinfection.
- Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring molecule produced by the immune system, is highly active against bacterial, viral, and fungal microorganisms. Moreover, HOCl is active against biofilm and increases oxygenation of the wound site to improve healing.
- A fourth NIH study found topical stabilized HOCl is ideal for wound care and scar management, conveying powerful microbicidal and antibiofilm properties, in addition to potency as a topical wound healing agent. It may offer physicians an alternative to other less desirable wound care measures. Natural HOCl is normally unstable; but through technology, it can be manufactured as a stable and effective topical antiseptic agent.
HOCl…the disinfectant of choice for all strains and variants of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)