Hypochlorous
Acid
Hypochlorous acid is naturally produced by white blood cells of all mammals. It plays an important role in the immune system killing pathogens through oxidation and chlorination
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.
Hypocholorous acid has the safest and most natural sterilization function, and is widely used in foreign countries.
Disinfectants and microbial pathogens interact with each other similar to magnets. If you bring together two negatively charged magnets, they will repel each other. Bacteria and hypochlorite (OCl- aka. bleach) are both negatively charged and behave like two negatively charged magnets repelling each other. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is neutrally charged and is not repelled by bacteria. HOCl easily penetrates the walls of the bacteria and destroys them with its strong oxidation potential.
A free available chlorine (FAC) molecule is one that is not attached. There are three forms of free available chlorine: chlorine gas, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite. Assuming a constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, when the pH is below 3, free chlorine will leave solution as chlorine gas. When the pH is above 7.5, over 50% will be hypochorite (OCl-) and will increase in hypochlorite as it rises toward pH 14. Between pH 3 and pH 7.5 the free chlorine solution will be dominated by hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
Once deactivated, it turns back into saline.
HOCl is a powerful germ killer yet it is non-irritant to eyes and skin.
HOCl is safe enough to disinfect personal items for a baby.
HOCl is much less aggresive on fabrics than chlorine bleach.
Over 30 years of research exisits for the use of hypochlorous acid and new research is being published every year. Recent research has focused on the use of hypochlorous acid for sanitzing food and food processing facilities. Research has also been done on poultry farms, water treatment and disinfection, and healthcare related applications such as wound care and equipment sterilization.
FDA Food Contact Notification 1811 – Hypochlorous Acid at up to 60 ppm for
Produce, Fish & Seafood, Meat and Poultry Sanitation
FCN 1811 is a Food Contact Notification (FCN) from the FDA for using electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid as an antimicrobial agent in an aqueous solution in the production and preparation of whole or cut meat and poultry; processed and preformed meat and poultry; fish and seafood; fruits and vegetables; and shell eggs.
Go to FDA Website
On June 9, 2014, the National Organic Program (NOP) published a policy memorandum (PM 14-3) on the status of electrolyzed water under the USDA organic regulations at 7 CFR Part 205. Following the release of PM 14-3, stakeholders provided additional technical and regulatory information on electrolyzed water to the NOP.
Go to USDA Website
