Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite Best Environmental Disinfectant in Nigeria

As Osas walked around his Place of Primary Assignment (Olima Secondary School) were he had been deployed to serve his Nation as a Corp member, he was in great shock as the biggest school in Okpala community needed attention in terms of hygiene. “The environment ‘is not going to be Friendly throughout my service year he thought to himself’. As a selfless corp member Osas decided to take up the environmental Condition of the school as a Project.  Osas is an Environmental biologist so he knew some professionals at GZ industrial supplies who could advice him on the best environmental disinfectant to use for Olima Secondary School. In excitement he put a call to Mrs Roselyn who knew a lot about Chemical disinfectants and the conversation began.

The world Health Organization on Limiting the spread of Covid-19

The World Health Organization WHO have advised and made it very loud that:

You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you

1. Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or  alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
3. Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell
4. Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell
5. Don't Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean

In these trying times of Coronavirus pandemic, disinfectants are evidently important and yes, Sodium hypochlorite is effective in fighting the coronavirus. It is one of the recommended chemicals to be used for disinfecting our environment against the virus. It is important to be educated on the detailed disinfection guidance by the CDC.

EPA approved List of Antimicrobial products against SARS-COV-2

Sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach, is most frequently used as a disinfecting agent. On March 3, the EPA released a list of antimicrobial products for use against SARS-CoV-2, under an emerging viral pathogens program developed for just this kind of scenario.

Now that we know how effective and environmental friendly Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite is , lets look at;

What is Environmental disinfectant

Disinfectants are antimicrobial agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfectants are frequently used in hospitals, dental surgeries, kitchens, and bathrooms to kill infectious organisms such as Coronavirus.

Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite

Properties of Environmental disinfectant

A perfect environmental disinfectant would also offer complete and full microbiological sterilisation, without harming humans and useful form of life, be inexpensive, and non corrosive. However, most disinfectants are also, by nature, potentially harmful (even toxic) to humans or animals. Most modern household disinfectants contain denatonium, an exceptionally bitter substance added to discourage ingestion, as a safety measure. Those that are used indoors should never be mixed with other cleaning products as chemical reactions can occur.The choice of disinfectant to be used depends on the particular situation. Some disinfectants have a wide spectrum (kill many different types of microorganisms), while others kill a smaller range of disease-causing organisms but are preferred for other properties (they may be non-corrosive, non-toxic, or inexpensive).

Selection of Environmental Disinfectant

Usually disinfectants are "cidal" in that they kill the susceptible potential pathogenic agents. The selection of a disinfectant should be based on the function the disinfectant is expected to perform, not necessarily on a sales pitch or on what you have always used. Ideally, a disinfectant should be broad spectrum (eliminates bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and spores), non irritating, nontoxic, noncorrosive and inexpensive. Selection decisions should include effectiveness against the potential pathogenic agent, safety to people, impact on equipment, the environment, and expense.

Disinfectant effectiveness depends on many factors. These include:

• Type of contaminating microorganism. Each disinfectant has unique antimicrobial attributes.
• Degree of contamination. This determines the quality of disinfectant required and time of exposure.
• Amount of proteinaceous material present. High protein based materials absorb and neutralize some chemical disinfectants.
• Presence of organic matter and other compounds such as soaps may neutralize some disinfectants.
• Chemical nature of disinfectant. It is important to understand the mode of action in order to select the appropriate disinfectant.
• Concentration and quantity of disinfectant. It is important to choose the proper concentration and quantity of disinfectant that is best suited to each situation.
• Contact time and temperature. Sufficient time and appropriate temperature must be allowed for action of the disinfectant and may depend on the degree of contamination and organic matter load.
• Residual activity and effects on fabric and metal should be considered for specific situations.
• Application temperature, pH and interactions with other compounds must be considered.
• Toxicity to the environment and relative safety to people that may be exposed.
• Cost

And so far Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite meets all the requirement as the Best Environmental disinfectant in Nigeria

Types of Disinfectants

High level disinfection: High level disinfection processes destroy vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi and enveloped (lipid) and non-enveloped (non lipid) viruses, but not necessarily bacterial spores. High level disinfectant chemicals (also called chemical sterilants) must be capable of sterilization when contact time is extended. Items must be thoroughly cleaned prior to high level disinfection.

Low level disinfection: Low level disinfectants kill most vegetative bacteria and some fungi as well as enveloped (lipid) viruses (e.g., hepatitis B, C, hantavirus, and HIV). Low level disinfectants do not kill mycobacteria or bacterial spores. Low level disinfectants are typically used to clean environmental surfaces.

Intermediate level disinfection: Intermediate level disinfectants kill vegetative bacteria, most viruses and most fungi but not resistant bacterial spores.

According to Centre for Disease Control( CDC) Mrs Roselyn continued, Epochem Sodium Hypochorite is an intermediate level disinfectant which is suitable for the environment after reviewing environmental fate and ecologic data, EPA has determined the currently registered uses of hypochlorites will not result in unreasonable adverse effects to the environment.

Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite

Epochem Sodium Hypochlorites

Epochem Hypochlorites are the most widely used of the chlorine disinfectants and are available in a liquid (e.g. sodium hypochlorite). The most common chlorine products are in aqueous solutions of 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite, which are readily available as “household bleach”. They have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, are unaffected by water hardness, are inexpensive and fast acting, and have a low incidence of serious toxicity.

Epochem Hypochlorites can eliminate both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses if used in correct dilution and contact time. They are also effective against fungi, bacteria, and algae but not spores.

Importance of Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite

Household bleach is typically diluted using 1:50 with water (1000ppm) for surface disinfection. Bleach solutions have been recommended for use in both hospitals and the community as disinfecting solutions. They are included in most recommendations for decontamination of hepatitis and AIDS viruses.

Epochem Hypochlorites are also the agent of choice in disinfecting surfaces used for food preparation or in bathrooms. Organic material such as feces or blood inactivate chlorine based disinfectants, therefore, surfaces must be clean before their use. In order to obtain maximum effectiveness with chlorine based disinfectants they must remain in contact with surfaces for several minutes.

Chlorine based disinfectants diluted in tap water have a limited shelf life. After 30 days such solutions stored in a polyethylene container will lose 40-50% of their concentration. Ideally solutions used for surface disinfection should be mixed fresh to ensure adequate levels of chlorine for antimicrobial activity. Chlorinated drinking water should not exceed 6 to 10 ppm of free chlorine with the lower value being in continuous flow or low volume reservoir systems.

The Benefits of Using Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite

While bleach or sodium hypochlorite can be hazardous, when used properly, it can make the world at large a much healthier place. Here is a short list of some of the common residential and industrial uses for sodium hypochlorite:

• Bleaching (both in homes and in hospitals, businesses and other public places)
• Disinfection
• Deodorizing
• Stain Removal
• Water Treatment (for the public)
• Endodontics
• Nerve Agent Neutralization
• Reduction of Skin Damage (mainly from eczema)

Characteristics of Sodium Hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite is a clear, slightly yellowish solution with a characteristic odor. Sodium hypochlorite has a relative density of is 1,1 (5,5% watery solution).

As a bleaching agent for domestic use it usually contains 5% sodium hypochlorite (with a pH of around 11, it is irritating). If it is more concentrated, it contains a concentration 10-15% sodium hypochlorite (with a pH of around 13, it burns and is corrosive).

Sodium hypochlorite is unstable. Chlorine evaporates at a rate of 0,75 gram active chlorine per day from the solution. Then heated sodium hypochlorite disintegrates. This also happens when sodium hypochlorite comes in contact with acids, sunlight, certain metals and poisonous and corrosive gasses, including chlorine gas. Sodium hypochlorite is a strong oxidator and reacts with flammable compounds and reductors. Sodium hypochlorite solution is a weak base that is inflammable.

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Safe Tips when Using Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite

For those businesses and industries with employees using bleach, proper workplace controls and practices need to be implemented and personal protective equipment (PPE) need to be provided, including eyewear, clothing and gloves. All employees handling sodium hypochlorite also need to be properly trained on storage of the chemical.

For information about Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite Contact us.

Make the Best choice like Osas who used Epochem Sodium Hypochlorite and achieved getting an award after his service year. 

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