Ideal disinfectants and sanitizers are nontoxic, noncorrosive and relatively inexpensive while remaining effective in various forms. That's why we choose Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as our product's powerhouse active ingredient. It is already present inside the immune system of all mammals. Our bodies naturally produce this chemistry of salt, water and electricity to combat viruses and bacteria. You can even find it being made in the oceans with lightning strikes as a way for the earth to cleanse itself, so why not apply that same chemistry to water treatment systems, cooling towers, schools, restaurants, workplaces and more?

A French chemist first discovered HOCl in 1884, which means it has been around for quite some time. However, the pandemic propelled products utilizing this molecule as their main ingredient into the limelight. It provides a solution for facility managers and sustainability directors who continue to strive for balance among the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Organizations cannot be sustainable without protecting their workers' safety and their communities’ health. Sustainability is not just about what is done but how it gets done. 

Many companies utilize bleach cleaners that can irritate the eyes, mouth, lungs and skin. Individuals with asthma or other breathing problems are particularly susceptible. Our products and consultative process help companies achieve their goals in the community's best interest. Specifically, our HOCl offers a kill rate of up to 80 times greater than hypochlorite bleaches while mitigating concerns about disinfectants' environmental impact.

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In addition to effectively fighting viruses and pathogens on surfaces, it is also valuable for killing biofilms. These growths of microorganisms can contain sulfite-reducing or iron-depositing bacteria that destroy steel and wreak havoc on water-cooling system pipes. Overall, biofilms aren’t good for our health and also worsen a cooling tower's efficiency. HOCl can be highly effective at targeting and disrupting these biofilms due to its physical chemistry, including size, pH level and oxidative ability. Due to its natural element makeup, it's more environmentally friendly and nontoxic to both the manufacturer and the user. Our stabilized HOCl formula can help you tackle your most challenging biofilm problems as well as disinfect and sanitize surfaces. Many different industries use HOCl for mold remediation, veterinary services, wastewater treatment and more.

Read More About How HOCl Protects Cooling Towers From Bacteria, Fouling and Scaling

Hypochlorous Acid Manufacturing Processes

There are three main ways that HOCl-based solutions are made, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. All of these solutions still offer some benefits regarding safety and surface compatibility. Still, there are key considerations to remember when finding the best method for your needs.

• Ready-to-use (RTU): These products include the ones we make by adjusting the pH of the solution at our plant site. This process ensures the safety profile of the solution, provides a longer shelf life, guarantees concentration and efficacy with no contamination risk and is the least amount of work for the user.
• On-site: According to a study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, HOCl can be made in on-site generation systems with one liter of water plus one gram of non-iodized salt and one teaspoon of vinegar. This system provides the ability to make concentrations of 50 to 200 parts per million (ppm), depending on its use, which is chosen by pressing a button on the instrument. After eight minutes, the electrolyzed solution will be ready for use. On-site-generated solutions provide the benefit of making only what you need and tend to cost less per ounce after the system purchase. On the other hand, the solution will have a shorter shelf life and require more work from the user to produce, in addition to no guarantee of concentration and efficacy.
• Tablets: There are also tablet products capable of producing HOCl solutions. For example, sodium dichloroisocyanurate is a colorless, water-soluble solid that creates HOCl when it is dissolved in water. The benefits of tablets include lower shipping costs, less storage space and no upfront device cost. However, solutions made using tablets have a shorter shelf life, the concentrated tablet is toxic, containers must be cleaned between uses, longer contact times and ultimately the end user must take more steps to use the product.

It’s important to remember that not all methods are created equal. The ready-to-use and plant production process is the most effective way to ensure you get the highest quality and efficacy in your disinfectant. During our manufacturing process, we use a quality-controlled water supply that provides our customers with the cleanest product featuring a high concentration (500ppm) formula. Because of this process, our products are easy to use, leave no gritty residue and are friendly to the environment.

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Classifications of Disinfectants

Antimicrobial pesticides are designed to destroy or mitigate harmful bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms on inanimate objects and surfaces, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency utilizes a draft strategy for selecting and testing disinfectants to ensure the products will continue to be effective after entering the marketplace. The new Antimicrobial Performance Evaluation Program (EPEP) draft strategy goes a step further by applying a risk-based approach to confirm these disinfectants remain effective after they are registered. There are currently three classifications of disinfectants: limited, broad-spectrum (general) and hospital grade. 

• Limited disinfectants are effective against only a specific major group of microorganisms, such as gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. 
• Broad-spectrum disinfectants are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. 
• Hospital disinfectants must have demonstrated acceptable efficacy against two qualifying bacteria — Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

The EPA also launched its List N in March 2020 as a way to provide the public with a reliable source they can refer to when searching for disinfectant products. All listed products kill SARS-CoV-2, the specific coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Our Danoltye disinfectant is registered on this list as a hospital-grade disinfectant, which is the most effective for killing the main strands of harmful bacteria. However, it is also gentle enough to be used on children’s toys and free of harsh chemicals, fumes or residues.

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The Efficiency of Different HOCl-Based Solutions

HOCl refers specifically to the hypochlorous acid molecule. It can be in solutions at various pH levels and concentrations, meaning not all solutions are alike. The varying chemistry makeup makes it more effective for one application over another. The proper concentration of a disinfectant is important to achieve the best results for each situation. Some products will have different dilutions depending on the desired use of the product. Overdilution of a product may render the disinfectant ineffective to the target microorganism. While non-HOCl-based disinfectants may be more effective at higher concentrations, these high levels may pose a risk to personnel, surfaces or equipment whereas HOCl-based products do not.

HOCl for Water Treatment Systems

Before developing your strategy for managing the water treatment systems, there are a few key considerations: water chemistry, flow rate, scaling potential, brine management and the required quality of the treated water. During our unique client consultation process, we conduct a very detailed discovery to look at these items. We will also examine the facility and desired goals to better determine the right chemistry for the job and your industry. We can then adjust our ingredient ratios to produce various concentrations and pH levels depending on your specific needs and applications.

Our eco-friendly HOCl-based surface cleaners and disinfectants are formulated with 100% natural ingredients, contain no harsh chemicals, alcohol, bleach or phosphates and are 99.9% effective against bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi. We offer several options based on your commercial cleaning needs:

• 1 quart with sprayer
• 1 gallon
• 5 gallons
• 55 gallons with pump
• 275-gallon tote

We would love to provide you with a consultation about your business’s commercial cleaning and water management needs. Watch to learn more about our team. If you’re ready to get started, contact us at sales@emeraldprairiehealth.com!

Emerald Prairie Health is a purpose-driven company, committed to providing products that make for a cleaner and healthier world. We provide all-natural, non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning and disinfectant products that help protect against harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Our products are 99.99% effective with no fumes or chemical residues, allowing you to return to the office, classroom, business and your life in a clean and healthy environment.