The Science of Molecular Oxidation
Aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) transforms liquid disinfectant into a microscopic "dry fog" that blankets every surface, ceiling, and hard-to-reach gap. Backed by extensive scientific studies, these micron-sized droplets release powerful hydroxyl radicals that destroy pathogens at the cellular level—breaking down their DNA and cell walls before naturally decomposing into completely safe, residue-free water vapor and oxygen.
When aerosolized, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generates reactive oxygen species including short-lived hydroxyl radicals (·OH) that oxidize and disrupt essential biomolecules, leading to rapid inactivation of pathogens and conversion into harmless byproducts (H₂O and O₂).
High Resistance Pathogens (The Hardest to Kill)
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Spores: The leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea; highly resistant to standard wipes.
Human Norovirus: The highly contagious "stomach flu" virus that causes severe gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships and in hospitals.
Human Rotavirus: A resilient non-enveloped virus that is a primary cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children.
Adenovirus: Causes a wide range of human illnesses, including respiratory infections, croup, and severe conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Healthcare-Associated "Superbugs"
MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which causes severe skin, bloodstream, and surgical site infections.
VRE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, a highly resilient bacterium found in intensive care units (ICUs) and operating rooms.
CRE: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, often referred to by healthcare professionals as "nightmare bacteria" due to extreme antibiotic resistance.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A biofilm-forming bacterium that commonly contaminates hospital water sources, ventilators, and open wounds.
Bloodborne Pathogens & Fungi
Candida auris (C. auris): A globally emerging, multidrug-resistant fungal threat that colonizes patient rooms and resists many standard disinfectants.
Aspergillus fumigatus: An environmental mold spore that poses a fatal respiratory threat to immunocompromised or transplant patients.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): An enveloped retrovirus that is highly susceptible to rapid chemical oxidation.
Hepatitis B & C Viruses: Bloodborne pathogens eradicated from critical medical surfaces to prevent healthcare worker exposure.
Airborne and Contagious Respiratory Viruses
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): An enveloped virus easily neutralized in the air and on high-touch surfaces by peroxide fogging.
Human Influenza (Flu A & B): Rapidly cleared from patient rooms and waiting areas to prevent seasonal cross-contamination.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): A major threat in pediatric and geriatric wards; successfully inactivated on environmental surfaces.
Rhinovirus: The primary virus responsible for the common cold, notorious for staying alive on hard surfaces for hours.
Clinical studies
What Are Log Kills?
When disinfecting a surface or decontaminating a facility, the efficacy of a product is measured by its log reduction, also commonly known as log kills. The term comes from the logarithm scale, which is used to indicate the percentage of bacteria killed. The term “log reduction” indicates a 10-fold reduction, which means that with every step, the number of bacteria present is reduced by 90 percent.
As an example, if there are one million bacteria present on a surface, a 1-log reduction would reduce the number of bacteria by 90 percent, or 100,000 bacteria remaining. A 2-log reduction removes 99 percent, leaving behind 10,000 bacteria, 3-log removes 99.9 percent to leave behind 1,000 bacteria, and so on through a 6-log kill, which leaves behind only one cell in one million. With this knowledge, log kills on a sanitizer label take on new meaning. The difference between a single digit can have a major impact, which is critical for food safety professionals to understand when selecting the sanitizing products that will be used in a facility.
