A Deeper Dive
At the heart of what we do is the disinfectant we use. Our disinfectant of choice is hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
What is Hypochlorous Acid?
Hypochlorous acid is a powerful oxidizing agent that is made from naturally occurring ingredients. The actual process to make HOCl is called electrolysis or a form of electrochemistry. It can be produced on-site by combining a simple brine solution with electricity which creates a potent disinfectant without using any harmful chemicals. The same cannot be said about conventional disinfectants.
Our on-site generated hypochlorous acid is produced at a pH range of 6.5 – 7 and is 500ppm Free Available Chlorine (FAC). Conventional disinfectants are either very high pH (basic) or very low pH (acidic). Because the product is close to neutral pH (7), benign and water-based, the germ lets it in freely. After it is inside, the FAC in hypochlorous acid destroys the bacteria, virus, or spore – preventing resistance.
Hypochlorous acid, like everything naturally occurring, has an effective lifecycle as a disinfectant. It reverts back into simple salt water without burdening the environment. Hypochlorous acid’s biodegradability disrupts the traditional supply chain model in business (Manufacturer > Distributor > Retail > Consumer).
Is it effective?
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is a powerful weapon against germs. The bottled hypochlorous acid offered on our website, trade name Annihilyte®, has been approved by the EPA and is on the EPA List N for disinfectants and List K for antimicrobial products.
Both the on-site generated and bottled hypochlorous acid kill SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), MRSA, TB, H1N1, HIV-1, Hep C, E. coli, Salmonella, and C. diff.
A complete ‘Pathogen Kill List’ and links to the EPA listings are found on Videos & Helpful Links.
Does it contain any harmful ingredients?
No. Hypochlorous acid is an environmentally responsible product that is non-synthetic and contains no volatile organic compounds. There are no added fragrances, and it produces no fumes. Hypochlorous acid has a Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) rating of 0 – the lowest rating possible. No personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in its application. It is a safer alternative to conventional disinfectants.
Can I use it throughout my office or home?
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is non-corrosive and can be used in all indoor areas. It is even authorized for use on food contact surfaces and electronics. Our product does not require rinsing or wiping. It has an EPA approved contact time (kill time) of 10 minutes allowing re-entry into a treated area to occur quickly. In addition to killing bacteria, viruses, and spores, hypochlorous acid serves as an effective deodorizer. Its use creates safe and healthy indoor environments.
Does it have to be wiped on?
No. The manufacturer we partner with permits the disinfectant to be applied by an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) fogger. The ULV fogger we utilize is a best-in-class product that has been tested and approved by the U.S. Department of Defense. It has a patented nozzle for adjusting the droplet size to as small as 5 microns. At this size, the droplets remain airborne for extended periods before settling on a surface. When aerosolized in this manner, the disinfectant is effective against airborne pathogens as well as those on surfaces. This is one advantage of fogging over wiping surfaces. Another advantage is the reduction of treatment time. Conservatively, fogging an area is 3x faster than wiping the surfaces. Fogging is a very efficient way to disinfect an indoor space saving both time and money.
Is it continuously available if there is another buying surge?
Yes. Hypochlorous acid can be produced on-site. We help businesses set up on-site generation using the Annihilare® AoS-500 generator. On-site generation removes the risk of supply chain disruption. The need for shipping and storage are eliminated. It allows ready-to-use disinfectant to be produced on demand, 24/7. The generator is manufactured under EPA Establishment Number (92449-NC-1) and it produces a Green Seal® Certified sustainable product.
At the heart of our service are the processes we use. This is the differentiator between our company and others in this field.
Verification
As a final step, we perform random adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing. ATP is an enzyme that is present in all organic matter – including bacteria. The ATP test measures actively growing microorganisms through the detection of adenosine triphosphate. We use ATP testing to help assess the presence of organic matter which can support the survival of microbes.