WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SANITIZER AND DISINFECTANT?
We’ve all heard that a surface that looks clean can still be infected with microorganisms. This warning goes to the heart of the difference between products termed cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectant surface cleaners. Using a degreaser or cleaner to clean flooring, kitchen counters, bathrooms, and other surfaces removes large particles, but does not have an impact on any microscopic particles that are present on the surface. Those microscopic particles include viruses, bacteria, and pathogens, which can remain behind and continue to pose a health threat.
A product labeled as a sanitizer has been tested and proven to kill bacteria, making it more powerful than a basic cleaning product. While this is valuable and is sufficient for many household and commercial applications, it is not tested to kill viruses, a major concern in healthcare settings.
If a product carries the term disinfectant, it is registered with the EPA as a product that kills both bacteria and viruses. Not all disinfectants are equally powerful or target the same microorganisms, of course, but they carry a certification for a high degree of effectiveness against the pathogens listed on their product labels. Hydrolyte®, the branded disinfectant offered by PCT, is listed to kill such important pathogens as C. diff, salmonella, TB, and norovirus, among others. Additionally, Hydrolyte® is a potent fungicide cleaner and disinfectant, ensuring its effectiveness against various types of fungi as well.
Is a Surface Disinfectant Safe?
Clearly the major differences between surface disinfectant products have to do with their chemical composition. Some disinfectants rely on the inclusion of toxic chemicals to kill microorganisms. The disinfectant products offered by PCT, however, do not contain these chemicals, instead relying on the mechanism of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to attack and kill pathogen cells. This revolutionary approach is quickly gaining popularity for its effective yet non-hazardous functionality.
The primary disinfectant product manufactured by PCT is Hydrolyte®, an anolyte solution that occurs as a result of the electrolysis of water and sodium chloride. The electrolysis process generates HOCl, which is a powerful disinfectant that targets many of the deadly pathogen strains found in hospital environments. HOCl is naturally made by the human body’s white blood cells to destroy invading pathogen cells as one of the immune system’s most important defenses. Water electrolysis and the resulting anolyte solution make it possible to harness this natural mechanism to kill disease causing viruses and bacteria outside the body by attacking them on hard, nonporous surfaces before they can cause infection.
Health Advantages of PCT’s Surface Disinfecting Solutions
Why choose PCT’s disinfectant surface cleaner solutions over other options? A major factor that has been largely overlooked in the past but is now gaining more attention is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in the atmosphere within healthcare settings. These chemical compounds are often impossible to detect by odor and thus go unnoticed by employees; however, they pose a number of both immediate and long-term threats to the health of these critical frontline workers.
VOCs and QACs are released into the air when many common cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products are used, and they tend to remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time–particularly in the indoor environment of a hospital. As the consequences of inhaling these compounds on an extended basis become more clear, hospital administrators become more focused on finding disinfecting alternatives that do not produce VOCs and QACs as byproducts.
PCT’s surface sanitizer disinfecting solutions, including our fungicide cleaner and disinfectant, are entirely VOC and QAC free. Employees do not need to wear PPE while spraying PCT’s anolyte disinfectant, and there are no special storage requirements associated with it. Switching to the PCT disinfectant system helps hospital staff avoid the many respiratory issues associated with prolonged exposure to harmful chemical compounds in the air.
PCT’s Surface Disinfectant
The hospital grade surface disinfectant produced by PCT, Hydrolyte®, meets all criteria for disinfecting hard and nonporous surfaces in medical environments. Application is very simple, there are few storage requirements, and its low toxicity makes it a versatile option for areas where patients are frequently present. Hydrolyte® is even safe to use around children and pets, so it is a good choice for pediatric practices and veterinary clinics as well.
THE ANNIHILYZER® SURFACE DISINFECTANT GENERATOR
The Annihilyzer® is a powerful tool, developed by PCT to provide on-site generation for surface disinfectant. The Annihilyzer® is easy for employees of schools, hotels, industrial facilities, and agricultural environments to use and store, and it eliminates the need to reorder bulk disinfectant, wait for it to arrive, receive it at the loading dock, store it until it is used, and finally dispose of used containers. The unit generates both a disinfectant and a general purpose cleaner/degreaser, meeting the disinfecting needs of organizations in a variety of industries more conveniently than ever before. In addition, both products are eco-friendly, giving companies and non-profits the chance to both reduce waste and switch to a more environmentally responsible method of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Electrostatic Sprayer for Surface Disinfectant
PCT offers an additional piece of equipment for use in a wide variety of industries, the electrostatic cart sprayer. The sprayer, equipped with an adjustable spray head and rotating base to allow 360-degree coverage of the room, is designed to dispense disinfectant surface cleaner. This innovative solution is specifically engineered to distribute evenly, thanks to the electrostatic charge of the disinfectant. As a result, it provides coverage that is more complete than what could be achieved through the manual application of sanitizing solution by environmental services workers.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS FOR SURFACE DISINFECTANT/SANITIZER
A hospital represents a huge challenge for disinfectant products, and PCT’s offerings are more than adequate to meet that challenge. But there are many other potential applications for this non-hazardous, eco-friendly solution. In the hospitality industry, it can be used to disinfect flooring, high contact surfaces such as counters, tables, and door handles. Skilled care facilities can use it to combat the propagation of MRSA and other antibiotic resistant pathogens. Dental, veterinary, and other medical practices can use the disinfectant in exam rooms and waiting areas to disinfect all hard, nonporous surfaces. As a non-hazardous product, Hydrolyte® is even a good choice for household use in the kitchen, bathroom, and areas with nonporous flooring.
CONTACT PCT FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SANITIZER/DISINFECTANT
While hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is not as well known in the healthcare industry as other sanitizing products yet, it promises to become a relied-upon solution for hospitals and other facilities that need a comprehensive, convenient way to disinfect spaces reliably. Registered with the EPA as highly effective against MRSA, C. diff, salmonella, and norovirus, just to name a few, Hydrolyte® is a great asset for any large healthcare facility. PCT works hard to spread the word about the power of HOCl for infection prevention and its ability to provide disinfection without producing fumes or other unwanted side effects. You can contact us through our website with any questions about PCT’s products and their applications in healthcare.
