In the world of disinfection, safety and effectiveness are of great importance. Many traditional chemical disinfectants are proven effective in controlling pathogens. Meanwhile, it may be time to think about sustainability and environmental protection. You may then wonder if those chemicals are really that good for this world. Wouldn't you rather have an alternative that works just as effectively and is not harmful to the environment?
What is peracetic acid?
Peracetic acid is a chemical compound of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This agent has a clear and colourless liquid, and is characterised by an acetic odour. The main application of peracetic acid is in the form of a disinfectant. The substance is used to fight pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts. Although it can be an effective remedy, there are certainly some drawbacks to it that we want to highlight.
The danger of peracetic acid
Peracetic acid is a very powerful oxidising agent and so appropriate safety measures must be taken. Especially in case of improper use or overexposure, this substance is a health hazard. The agent should not be inhaled, nor should it come into contact with the eyes or skin. From this, you can see that peracetic acid is far from environmentally friendly.
Watter's disinfectant
At Watter, we have a sustainable, innovative way of disinfecting. Our disinfecting system uses a technology called electrochemical activation. Saltwater solution gets into an electric current, from which the active substance HOCl is created. Better results can already be achieved with a small dose, because the concentration of active substances is kept very low without losing effectiveness.
In-situ solution
The Watter system offers an in-situ solution, which means that the disinfectant can be produced on site. The system is installed on site, eliminating your reliance on external suppliers. An additional advantage is that you do not have storage and transport with jerry cans containing chemicals. This results in lower transport costs, less plastic waste and lower CO2 emissions.
Get informed about the possibilities of the Watter system on site.
Convinced to move away from peracetic acid?
About the author
Jantiena Lamberink
Jantiena is a microbiologist at Watter, primarily focused on scientific research within our research department. She monitors the overall health of livestock and contributes to various ongoing research projects. Jantiena conducts farm visits and provides advice on our disinfection solutions based on her expertise. Through her work, she plays a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness and applicability of our solutions in real-world agricultural settings.