New Mitigation Techniques for COVID-19

Disinfection and sanitization are at the forefront of the war on fighting the COVID-19 virus. Wiping surfaces, washing hands and common techniques to disinfect are being used everywhere. Masks, face shields, and other protective equipment have become the new normal.

Other techniques are new and utilize technology and equipment that isn't as widely known about or understood. Dr. Spokane and Dr. Karski have invested countless hours into education and research of  different mitigation techniques and their goal is simply to share what they have learned with anyone interested.

Airborne Transmission

What’s different with the COVID-19 virus is the transmission through airborne particles. It is not as bad as measles (which is highly transmissible in airborne particles) but it can go through the air. To mitigate the spread through airborne transmission, a few simple techniques can be employed that can make a significant difference. 

We are going to focus on three main aspects of airborne mitigation – Air Filtration, UV Light Sterilization, and the use of Hypoochlorous Acid or ‘Fogging’.

Air Filtration

Most people understand the concept of air filtration or have to change the filter in the HVAC unit of their home.  The use of air cleaners in rooms is another familiar and effective way to clean the air that surrounds us. 

The importance of HEPA filtration has become even more important in fighting the COVID-19 virus. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. A filter rated as HEPA means that it can remove 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of .3 microns. However, not all filters are made to HEPA standards.  Using a HEPA filter is essential to decrease airborne bacteria and viruses.

UV Light Sterilization

Science tells us that bacteria and viruses can be killed by UV light. In China, transportation lines are lit up with the glowing lights, hospitals and schools have robots roaming their halls emitting UV light, and even banks have been using UV light sterilization to disinfect their money.

HEPA and UV Light in HVAC Systems

HEPA filters and UV lights can be installed directly into the existing HVAC system of any home or business. Doing so allows the air that is already being circulated through the home to easily be disinfected.

Most HVAC companies are able to implement both of these solutions.  In the video below, John, from Beaver Valley Sheet Metal in Monaca, PA provides more detailed information on HEPA filtration and UV lights in HVAC systems.

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Utilizing HEPA filtration and UV lights are simple ways to effectively mitigate airborne transmission of bacteria and viruses that can be easily utilized.

Hypochlorous Acid

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)  is one of the best disinfectants out there and is incredibly safe. It is used in eye drops, nasal sprays, wound care, veterinary care, “green cleaning” products, and grocery store produce spray. 

Dr. Spokane briefly discusses Hypochlorous Acid in the following video:

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Hypochlorous acid is versatile and can be used to wipe surfaces, clean floors, and basic disinfection needs, as well as in fogging machines and humidifiers.

How Hypochlorous Acid Is Made

Hypochlorous acid is basically just salt water and chemistry.  When an electrical charge is passed through a salt (NaCl) solution with exactly the right concentration, the sodium separates from the chloride.  Chloride is negatively charged and is attracted to the positive side of the electrical charge where it bonds with oxygen and hydrogen from the water.  It gets converted from Cl- to HOCl, which is hypochlorous acid.

Obtaining  Hypochlorous Acid

Various formulations and strentgths of HOCl are registered with the EPA and available pre-made and ready to use.

You can also make your own with a home electrolysis machine using water, non-iodized salt and vinegar. For more detailed information on how to make your own Hypochlorous acid, contact us – we’d be happy to share that information!

Hypochlorous Acid In Humidifiers

Humidifiers disperse water into the air through a fine mist.  Adding HOCl to the water can help to sterilize the air in a room.

Fogging With Hypocchlorous Acid

Hospitals, hotels, cruise ships, airports, airplanes, and the food industry are just some of the industries already utilizing cold fogging with HOCl. Fogging machines use large volumes of air at low pressure to transform liquid into droplets so that they can be dispersed into the air. 

Fogging can be used to disinfect rooms and surfaces and dries very quickly.  There is no residue, no wiping, and no wet floors. It can also be used on skin, hair, clothing, shoes, glasses, and even the face.

Dr. Karski explains how we fog our staff each day in the office in the following video:

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For more detailed information on fogging, contact us and we would be happy to provide that to you!