Number
318-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Other
Function
Cleaning agent
Process
Manual activities involving hand contact
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Electrochemical activation of saline aqueous solution
Abstract
A hospital in Moscow gradually reduced its use of chemical disinfectants replacing them with an anolyte alternative obtained from an electrolyte made of tap water and sodium chloride (app. 3%).
Substituted substances
Sodium hypochlorite
CAS No. 7681-52-9 EC No. 231-668-3 Index No. 017-011-00-1
Chemical group
Sodium compounds; hypochlorites
Classification: hazard statements
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H318 Causes serious eye damage
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Hydrogen peroxide
CAS No. 7722-84-1 EC No. 231-765-0 Index No. 008-003-00-9
Chemical group
Peroxides
Classification: hazard statements
H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Alternative Substances
Sodium chloride
CAS No. 7647-14-5 EC No. 231-598-3 Index No.
Chemical group
Sodium compounds; chlorides
Water
CAS No. 7732-18-5 EC No. 231-791-2 Index No.
Chemical group
Non-metal oxides
Reliability of information
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed
Reason substitution
skin/respiratory sensitizing
ecotoxicity
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: Sodium hypochlorite is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Hydrogen peroxide is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substances: The alternative uses water and small quantity of dissolved sodium chloride (app 3%). The anolyte has a medium pH that is not aggressive to skin, eye and respiratory system.
Description of Substitution
The anolyte used as disinfectant is produced by electrochemical activation (ECA)in an electrolytic cell that has the anode and cathode chambers separated by a unidirectional membrane. The anolyte (the liquid accumulating in the anode cell) is rich in oxidizing species that act as efficient disinfectants. The composition and pH of the anolyte can be adjusted by varying the current used. The anolyte with a medium pH (5.5-8.5) has a content of 0.05% hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions and 0.26% sodium chloride, the rest being water. A version with a pH 2-3.5 is more corrosive and is less used. According to producers trails performed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli showed better results for the anolyte than for sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compounds, or peroxygene disinfectants. The catholyte generated in the other chamber of the electrolytic cell can be used as alternative cleaner.
Case/substitution evaluation
The use of anolyte as disinfectant is an increasing trend. It is considered to have several advantages over other disinfectants, e.g. is less harmful to skin than concentrated peroxides or chlorine products, is more effective in destroying micro-organisms that are resistant to chemical attack, does not imply transporting or storing of chemicals because is usually generated on the spot. It has the disadvantage of being unstable but it does not decompose into hazardous substances. Instability on the other hand is also common to chemical disinfectants like the chlorinated or peroxide ones.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
Russia
Availability ofAlternative
The alternative is available
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
Producer / distributor
Contact
Type of publication and availability
Internet presentation from the producer
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
The case story is based on a presentation form the producer, ECA Technologies Africa, published on its own site
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
http://www.ecatech.co.za/pdf/05.Moscow_municipal_clinical_hospital.pdf
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021