Time to rethink disinfection from a health and planetary perspective - Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach) vs Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL)
Darren Magee Snr - Assistant Director Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering
Founder/Owner of Earth Science & Technology Association - STEM Ambassador
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Comparison
Bleach
This household name for cleaning/disinfection has been around since the 18th century and contains between 2%-10% concentration of sodium hypochlorite, it is regarded as a potent disinfectant.??
A high pH balance makes it corrosive and potentially harmful, especially for those with respiratory issues.? Bleach can cause significant harm to the lungs if inhaled. When bleach fumes are inhaled, they can irritate the airways causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This is particularly harmful for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, as it can trigger severe respiratory distress.?
Prolonged exposure to bleach fumes can lead to chronic lung problems. The chlorine in bleach can react with proteins in the body to form acids, which can cause tissue damage and inflammation in the lungs. Over time, this can result in symptoms like those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes persistent coughing, breathing difficulties, and frequent chest infections.?
It's crucial to use bleach in a well-ventilated area and to avoid inhaling its fumes as much as possible. It's also recommended to wear protective equipment like masks and gloves when handling bleach, especially in a professional cleaning or healthcare setting.?
Hypochlorous Acid
Hypochlorous Acid, has only recently gained popularity as a disinfectant. It also happens to be produced by our white blood cells to fight off germs and bacteria. When produced as a disinfectant, it involves a process called ECA
ABOUT ECA
ECA?stands for electrochemical activation and is a technology that has been employed for more than 100 years, although it was not until the 1970s that the physicochemical properties of ECA?were extensively researched at the All-Russian Institute for Medical Engineering.
The transformation of low mineral salt solutions into an activated metastable state, by electrochemical unipolar action, generates two separate and distinct compounds, generically termed anolyte and catholyte, which correspond to their derivative electrode chambers:
The use of electrolysis for producing reductant-oxidant solutions is used in the processes of water purification and decontamination, as well as for transforming water or diluted electrolyte solutions into environmentally friendly anti-microbial, washing, extractive, and other functionally useful solutions.
This is largely due to ECA high activity, use of cheap raw materials, and ease of production.
The system produces a liquid disinfectant, non-toxic and degradable, capable of destroying bacteria, spores, viruses, moulds, yeasts, fungi, and biofilms (biological incrustations) on pipes and removing odors. Its operation requires only water, Sodium or Potassium Chloride (salt), and electricity.
The Power of Disinfection: Hypochlorous Acid vs. Bleach?
When it comes to disinfection, hypochlorous acid surpasses bleach with its superior disinfecting power.??
On a molecular level, hypochlorous acid is neutrally charged, allowing it to penetrate the pathogen cell wall and inactivate it from the inside out. In contrast, bleach carries a negative charge that repels pathogens rather than destroying them.?
Moreover, hypochlorous acid is much stronger as a disinfectant than bleach, despite having a lower pH, salt content, and parts per million of chlorine. Think of it like the difference between two currencies. If the euro is stronger than the dollar, then an item will cost less in euros than it will in dollars.?
It’s important to remember that bleach and hypochlorous acid are two distinct compounds, despite belonging to the same family of chlorine-based disinfectants and sharing similar chemical structures.?Given its superior disinfecting properties and safer pH level, hypochlorous acid is a better disinfectant than bleach. In fact, hypochlorous acid is stronger than bleach.??
It is 80-200 times more effective as a disinfectant, without releasing toxic fumes into the air.?
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Comparison of Water treatment disinfection, Mixed Oxidant (ECA) vs others
A legal & organisational perspective
The Health & Safety Executive States in the Technical guidance Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold-water systems hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the form of chlorine that is most effective as a biocide.
Under health and safety legislation, namely the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (COSHH) (NI), there is a legal requirement for employers to reduce the risk of harm from exposure to hazardous substances at work so far as is reasonably practicable. As an organisation If you can practically move from the use of bleach to a safer alternative such as Hypochlorous Acid - you are legally obliged do so
A planetary perspective - CO2 study
Disinfection products can have substantial & significant environmental impacts which include pollution, associated manufacturing emissions, toxicity to marine life and potential adverse health outcomes. Despite this, disinfection is under-represented in sustainability approaches.
Disinfection is a key part of healthcare provision and as such should be reflected in healthcare sustainability strategies. The adverse environmental effects of several common disinfectants are highlighted in this article.
Sustainable alternatives should be considered. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a potential alternative disinfectant that could be used in sustainability strategies, carrying a minimal toxicity & Carbon footprint profile compared to hypochlorite (bleach) and the unique ability to be made on site. Better understanding
Clarity is needed regarding the environmental impact of disinfectants used in the healthcare setting and healthcare providers should move to seek sustainable alternatives such as hypochlorous acid.
Grams CO2 per litre disinfectant produced
Holistium Technologies Ltd
Holistium Technologies Ltd have installed Hypochlorous acid generating systems at a number of UK NHS Hospitals, for legionella control/water treatment, our systems incorporate the most advanced, patented, twin electrode technology, ensuring the most ultrapure disinfection media for use in critical clinical settings.
Holistium Technologies deliver/facilitate healthcare & environmental services, supply bespoke products, provide accredited in house/online training to the construction industry on fire safety, safe building, water safety, H&S awareness, H&S skills, H&S Management, NVQ, CITB, IOSH, CPD, City & Guilds, online, Holistium supply efficacy-certified, independently tested by UKAS accredited microbiology laboratories, smart surface & bioaerosol eliminating air purification devices & systems - antimicrobial & antimicrobial resistance solutions technologies.
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