The cleaning revolution: disinfection without adverse effects using hypochlorous acid (HOCl)
As new strains of viruses or forms of microbes and bacteria emerge, the need for effective cleaning and disinfection products is increasingly high and better understood. However, despite the precautions taken, sometimes the active substances that allow for flawless cleaning can lead to various adverse effects if used excessively. At Klintensiv, we understand that the needs of people and organizations are constantly changing, so we innovate and improve our products as they evolve. The new Klintensiv range of cleaning products based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is one such innovation: they are non-toxic, yet at least as effective as traditional disinfection products.
The key ingredient for new-age cleaning: hypochlorous acid. What do the studies say?
Hypochlorous acid is a colorless solution used primarily as a disinfectant, possessing powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, but without the adverse effects of traditional disinfectants. Hypochlorous acid is a derivative of sodium hypochlorite and is obtained by dissolving it in water and acidifying the resulting solution; it is a non-hazardous solution with a series of proven benefits established by numerous scientific studies:
1. Hypochlorous acid is a highly effective disinfectant, from skin and wounds to work surfaces
At the same time, hypochlorous acid is highly effective for sterilizing meat and surfaces that come into contact with meat, such as those in slaughterhouses or restaurants (Veasey and Muriana, 2016). It is also effective in the risk-free sterilization of water and vegetables (Erkmen, 2010).
2. Hypochlorous acid does not irritate the skin
3. Hypochlorous acid is not flammable and leaves no toxic residues behind
4. Hypochlorous acid is not harmful to respiration or through ingestion
References:
Benedusi, M., Tamburini, E., Sicurella, M., Summa, D., Ferrara, F., Marconi, P., … & Valacchi, G. (2022). The Lesson Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Can an Active Chemical Be Effective, Safe, Harmless-for-Humans and Low-Cost at a Time? Evidence on Aerosolized Hypochlorous Acid. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13163.
Block, M. S., & Rowan, B. G. (2020). Hypochlorous acid: a review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 78(9), 1461-1466.
Erkmen, O. (2010). Antimicrobial effects of hypochlorite on Escherichia coli in water and selected vegetables. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 7(8), 953-958.
Farah, R. F. I., & Al-Haj Ali, S. N. (2021). Electrolyzed water generated on-site as a promising disinfectant in the dental office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 629142.
Gold, M. H., Andriessen, A., Bhatia, A. C., Bitter Jr, P., Chilukuri, S., Cohen, J. L., & Robb, C. W. (2020). Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and scar management in dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(2), 270-277.
Robson, M. C., Payne, W. G., Ko, F., Mentis, M., Donati, G., Shafii, S. M., … & Bassiri, M. (2007). Hypochlorous acid as a potential wound care agent: part II. Stabilized hypochlorous acid: its role in decreasing tissue bacterial bioburden and overcoming the inhibition of infection on wound healing. Journal of Burns and Wounds, 6.
Shukla, S. K., Sharma, A. K., Kalonia, A., & Shaw, P. (2022). HOCl as a Promising Candidate for Effective Containment of Covid 19 From Biological and Non-Biological Surfaces. Coronaviruses, 3(1), 18-24.
Veasey, S., & Muriana, P. M. (2016). Evaluation of electrolytically-generated hypochlorous acid (‘electrolyzed water’) for sanitation of meat and meat-contact surfaces. Foods, 5(2), 42.
