Summary
Abstract
The advent of old diseases in new places, of newly-emerging infectious diseases not seen before, and of highly resistant organisms, has complicated disaster response and the management of displaced populations. One method for addressing that developing risk is to attack pathogens before they become life-threatening infections using area and wound decontamination and disinfection techniques. Current methods for disinfection, however, can contribute to the development of resistance, prove toxic to tissues, and damage the environment. We review here an emerging technology based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl), with emphasis on a novel pure and stable form (Brio HOCL), that inactivates viruses, bacteria, endospores, and fungi, is safe for human tissues (including eye, lung, and skin), is environmentally benign requiring no toxic waste disposal or hazardous material management, and yet is capable of degrading the infectivity of highly-resistant prions at a Log Reduction Value (LRV) of >5, equating to roughly a 99.999 elimination.
Study details
- Published in: Rasmussen, Eric D., and Jeffrey F. Williams. Stabilized hypochlorous acid disinfection for highly vulnerable populations: Brio HOCL wound disinfection and area decontamination. 2017 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). IEEE, 2017.
- Microbes studied: Coronavirus, Ebola Virus, Prions
Source
Source: Rasmussen, Eric D., and Jeffrey F. Williams. Stabilized hypochlorous acid disinfection for highly vulnerable populations: Brio HOCL wound disinfection and area decontamination. 2017 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). IEEE, 2017.
Conditions tested
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Organisms | Viruses (general) |
| Publication | Rasmussen, Eric D., and Jeffrey F. Williams. Stabilized hypochlorous acid disinfection for highly vulnerable populations: Brio HOCL wound disinfection and area decontamination. 2017 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). IEEE, 2017, 2017 |
Reading this responsibly
Published figures are obtained under controlled conditions, usually on clean surfaces or in defined matrices. Organic load, surface condition, temperature and application coverage all affect real-world performance. Use these numbers to design a protocol, then validate it on your own site with environmental swabbing.
Applying it
Concentrations in this range are within the adjustable output of every EcoloxTech commercial system, so implementing this protocol is a settings question rather than a procurement one. Where the claim needs to sit on a registered label, see HOCl-AS200, EPA Reg. No. 101112-1.