The Gold Standard of HOCl

Science

What is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl)?

(H) Hydrogen, (O) Oxygen, (Cl) Chlorine

HOCl, has been known for 150 years. In fact, our white blood cells naturally produce HOCl to fight infection in our bodies. HOCl is amazingly effective and carries a neutral charge, which is naturally attracted to negatively charged bacteria and viruses.

Chlorine in water splits into two forms, HOCl and Hypochlorite (OCl-). At the high pH range, which is the chlorine solution provided by bleach, chlorine is in the OCl- form and offers less germ killing power. Even at dilutions as low as 1 ounce of bleach to a gallon of water, the pH of the solution is 10.25 and all of chlorine is in the hypochlorite form (OCl-) ion. When produced in the 5.0 to 6.0 pH range, HOCl comprises 100% of the free available chlorine. Studies show HOCl has up to 100x the disinfecting power of OCl- (bleach).

The perfect disinfectant must be both safe for use around people and pets, and simultaneously effective in swiftly eliminating a wide range of pathogens. HOCl is the answer.

  • Its Harmless nature is attributed to its non-toxic and hypoallergenic composition, mirroring the elements found naturally in the white blood cells of every mammal.  
  • As an Optimal choice, HOCl offers effective disinfection without harmful byproducts, ensuring a thorough yet gentle approach.
  • In terms of Clean, HOCl is environmentally friendly, and breaks down into harmless components. It is organic" in the truest sense of the word (i.e., *being or relating to or derived from or having properties characteristic of living organisms).

HOCl has been evaluated by regulatory agencies (including USDA, FDA, EPA, NIH, CDC) and healthcare institutions, professional organizations, independent laboratories, and academic institutions in more than 50 countries.

  • NIH concluded “HOCl may be the disinfectant of choice for coronaviruses.”
  • Another NIH study determined that no-touch fogging with HOCl at a low concentration of 20-200 ppm reduces virus transmission from one site to another.
  • NIH also noted “HOCl is used in the treatment of [eye inflammation] by reducing the bacterial load on the surface of the eye.”
  • It is safe and used for nasal irrigation to treat chronic sinusitis. A study showed a low (0.85%) concentration HOCl solution can be used as an effective nasal irrigation solution.
  • USDA clarified that HOCl is appropriate for organic production and handling. USDA also states that HOCl can be used as a no-rinse disinfectant on fruit and vegetables.
  • HOCl is considered by the FDA to be “the agent that has the highest bactericidal activity against a broad range of microorganisms” (US FDA, 2015).

In general, HOCl has been proven to be highly effective against a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold and mildew based on results by independent test labs and scientific journals. These include:

Studies of HOCl

“An ideal disinfectant and sanitizer must be nontoxic to surface contact, noncorrosive, effective in various forms... HOCl may be the disinfectant of choice for coronaviruses…”

“HOCl comprises many of the desired effects of the ideal disinfectant: It is easy to use, has a good safety profile, and can be used to disinfect large areas quickly and with a broad range of bactericidal and virucidal effects.”

NIH Study
Hypochlorous Acid: A Review
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Sep; 78(9): 1461–1466.


“Healthcare acquired infections are increasing. Current cleaning and disinfecting (C&D) methods subject staff to toxic chemicals and can be damaging to the facility. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a disinfecting solution that is 80–200 times more effective than bleach in surface disinfection of bacteria yet is nontoxic to humans.”

NIH Study
Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018 Nov; 5(Suppl 1): S346.

 

 

Efficacy: “HOCl > OCl– > inorganic chloramines > organic chloramines. The hierarchy clearly shows that free chlorine is more efficacious than combined chlorine. Also, as noted above, HOCl is 100 times more effective as a disinfectant than OCl–. Consequently, free chlorine is most effective at a pH of 5 to 7, where HOCl is the predominant form.”


Disinfection Using Chlorine Bleach
December, 2011 / OSU Biological Safety / Environmental Health & Safety / 541-737-4557





Safety: “HOCl exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is directly toxic to many bacteria and fungi and might also impart antiviral properties. Hypochlorous acid exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties based on multiple laboratory analyses. These properties appear to correlate with the potential therapeutic benefits of topically applied HOCl for a variety of skin disorders. Topical formulations of stabilized, pH-neutral HOCl (e.g., solution, gel, spray) have been evaluated in several studies demonstrating both antimicrobial effects and therapeutic benefit in many cutaneous disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis-associated pruritus, acne vulgaris, diabetic foot ulcers, and hypertrophic scars/keloids. Topical HOCl appears to be well tolerated and safe, without any major adverse events reported.”

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology Study
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018 Nov; 11(11): 36–39.




“Hypochlorous acid does not cause irritation to eyes and skin. Even it were ingested it causes no harm. Because it is so safe, it is the ideal sanitizer for direct food sanitation and food contact surfaces. It is also ideal in healthcare where it is used for wound cleansing, eye drops, and patient room disinfection replacing toxic chemicals such as bleach and quaternary ammonium (quats). Sanitation chemicals distributed in concentrated form are toxic and can be hazardous. Contact with skin or inhalation of fumes can cause irritation. These risks do not exist with hypochlorous acid.”

From another dermatology research study