Ventilating and nebulising better against COVID-19 than washing your hands.
Aerosols expert José-Luis Jimenez recently gave an interview to De Morgen about research on the spread of the Coronavirus. Their conclusion: mainly through aerosols. Nevertheless, to the surprise of the Chemistry professor, much emphasis is still placed on disinfection of surfaces and hands, rather than ventilation.
What are aerosols?
Aerosols are very small particles that are so light that they float in the air and thus spread. Several studies have shown that transmission via aerosols is the primary route of the spread of the Coronavirus. This means that the virus is virtually not transmitted through surfaces, and thus washing your hands and desk cleaning have less effect than good air quality. According to the researcher, when ventilation is poor, the virus particles remain suspended in the air, surviving for up to a day.
What is HOCl?
HOCl, or hypochlorous acid, is commonly used as a disinfectant because of its oxidizing property. It is very effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts. It is also a weak acid, like citrus fruits.
HOCl is produced using a technique called Electrochemical Activation (ECA). In this process, a solution of water and salt is electrolyzed, which creates the disinfectant. This process is very sustainable, as it only requires water, salt, and electricity, and the active ingredient is very safe for humans, animals, and the environment.
In schools, office buildings, and hospitals, among other places, the disinfectant is misted to prevent infections and spread, especially in buildings with poor ventilation and where temperatures are too low to open windows. About 60,000 units are sold per year in Japan alone. In the Netherlands, it is currently only allowed to be produced on-site by means of in situ technology such as the Watter system, in accordance with the requirements of the Dutch Ctgb. In the near future, HOCl will also be more widely used and available, after the European approval earlier this year.
Winter is coming
It's cold outside, which means that ventilating can no longer be a standard option. But the number of infections is also rising, making stricter measures an increasingly realistic option. Then winter can also be a dark time for some of society. Necessity may be going too far at the moment, but faster acceptance of HOCl as a weapon in the fight against Corona is highly desirable as far as we are concerned.
If you would like to know more about the atomization of HOCl for your healthcare institution, office buildings or school buildings, feel free to contact us!