Hypochlorous Acid (“HOCl”) is a wonder of nature, both inside and outside of the human body. It is a molecule composed of only three elements from the periodic table of elements – hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and chlorine (Cl).
H = Hydrogen
O = Oxygen
Cl = Chlorine
First and foremost, HOCl is an endogenous substance in all mammals. The body’s immune system naturally produces HOCl to fight invading pathogens. Specifically, when our bodies detect infection, white blood cells, known as neutrophils and macrophagesas, produce HOCl with the help of the enzyme, myeloperoxidase, to defend against bacteria, viruses and fungi. HOCl is one of the body’s natural protective responses to keep us healthy and free from disease.
HOCl has a neutral charge, which means it has a greater affinity towards net negatively charged bacteria on surfaces, causing them to drop their defenses. It is an oxidizing agent and a known electron “stealer”. As such, once inside the cell, HOCl will disrupt the cell structure of pathogens by reacting with proteins, lipids and nucleic acids within cells, ultimately destroying them.
HOCl, due to its lower pH and neutral charge, is 80-100 times more effective at killing some pathogens than OCl-. Hypochlorite (OCl-), unlike HOCl, is an ion and carries a negative electrical charge and is therefore more likely to be repelled by the pathogen. The higher alkaline pH of OCl- also makes it less safe than HOCl.
Because it maintains the perfect balance between safety and efficacy, it has played a crucial role in ensuring safe drinking water, clean swimming pools, hard-surface disinfecting and even cosmetic and wound treatment, among other applications. HOCl is safe for humans and animals, is non-toxic and carries a pH between 4-6, which is nearly identical to that of our skin.
