Stabilized hypochlorous acid disinfection for highly vulnerable populations: Brio HOCL™ wound disinfection and area decontamination

Abstract

The advent of old diseases in new places, of newly-emerging infectious diseases not seen before, and of highly resistant organisms, has complicated disaster response and the management of displaced populations. One method for addressing that developing risk is to attack pathogens before they become life-threatening infections using area and wound decontamination and disinfection techniques. Current methods for disinfection, however, can contribute to the development of resistance, prove toxic to tissues, and damage the environment. We review here an emerging technology based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl), with emphasis on a novel pure and stable form (Brio HOCL™), that inactivates viruses, bacteria, endospores, and fungi, is safe for human tissues (including eye, lung, and skin), is environmentally benign requiring no toxic waste disposal or hazardous material management, and yet is capable of degrading the infectivity of highly-resistant prions at a Log Reduction Value (LRV) of >5, equating to roughly a 99.999% elimination.