PERACLEAN® 15
Surface disinfection
In light of the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus, Evonik is producing a peracetic acid solution to help prevent the spread of the virus on common surfaces that people may come into contact with, such as doorknobs, handrails and other surfaces.
A virus is a biological agent that reproduces inside the cells of living hosts. When infected by a virus, a host cell is forced to produce thousands of identical copies of the original virus at an extraordinary rate. Unlike other non-living pathogens, viruses contain genes which have the ability to mutate and evolve. Consequently, many thousands of viruses have been discovered over the years.
According to the World Health Organization, corona viruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Corona viruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and people. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes a severe respiratory illness called COVID-19. This virus is thought to have originated with people being infected after getting in contact with animals. Scientific studies have suggested that the coronaviruses are thought to spread most often by respiratory droplets in a cough or sneeze. Depending on the strain of coronavirus, this virus can survive up to several days on hard surfaces such as glass, metal, or plastic. This may pose a threat to humans, particularly when the hard surface is not properly disinfected.
Efficacy of the peracetic acid biocide PERACLEAN® 15 against the coronavirus
Evonik, as part of its chemical portfolio, has developed an environmentally safe way of disinfecting surfaces where the corona virus is present. Tests were conducted at a sanctioned EPA laboratory where PERACLEAN® 15 (EPA #54289-4), a stabilized solution containing 15% peracetic acid and 22% hydrogen peroxide, was used to disinfect Human Coronavirus Strain 229E. Unlike many other disinfectants in the market place such as quaternary ammonium compounds and chlorine, PERACLEAN® 15 is a very fast acting biocide that quickly decomposes into acetic acid, water, and oxygen. The study met all of the requirements for 40 CFR 160 using a dosage of approximately 1300 ppm (0.130%) of the active ingredient which yielded a 4.4 log (99.99%) reduction of Human Coronavirus 229E. Contact time was 60 seconds at an ambient temperature of 22 °C.
In addition to the coronavirus, PERACLEAN® 15 is also effective against a number of other viruses such as herpes simplex virus, norovirus, rhinovirus. For a complete list of bacteria and viruses please consult Evonik PERACLEAN® 15 label (EPA Reg # 54289-4).
