In the infection prevention and control industry, environmental cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces is becoming more important than ever before. Research studies show that environmental cleaning and disinfection can play an important role in helping to prevent the spread of infection. A new, promising technology in this industry is the application of EPA-approved disinfectants utilizing electrostatic application systems for proper surface disinfection. Electrostatics is a proven technology in the agricultural and automotive industries. This technology is now being integrated into the infection prevention and control industry as a tool to break the chain of pathogen mobility.
What is Electrostatics?
Electrostatics is a branch of physics that studies the phenomena and properties of stationary or slow-moving electric charges. Electrostatic phenomena is easily demonstrated when lint is attracted to clothes, or when dust clings to a TV screen. Electrostatic induction charging is a method of creating or generating static electricity in a material by bringing an electrically charged object near it. This causes electrical charges to be redistributed in the material, resulting in one side having an excess of either positive (+) or negative (-) charges.
Using Electrostatics for Surface Disinfection
Most surface areas are neutral (uncharged) or negative. Electrostatic application for surface disinfection is a method of applying disinfectants to a target surface area by utilizing electrostatic force of attraction. Simply put, the electrostatic system places an electrical charge on the droplets and disperses them across a target surface area, providing a comprehensive, even coverage. This provides a consistent and uniform coverage in which the droplets adhere to vertical, horizontal and three-dimensional surfaces (“wraps” around the target area). Research has shown that microorganisms can survive on surfaces for days, weeks, and even months. Using electrostatic technology provides effective, proven, safe and comprehensive surface coverage and eliminates cross contamination of dangerous pathogens.
Electrostatically applied disinfectant droplets do not suspend or linger in the air. These electrically charged droplets are super-attracted to their opposites. Subsequently, applied disinfectants can better accomplish their stated efficacy rates (with proper dwell times and adherence to EPA chemical recommendations).
In both third party testing and real world settings, clinical studies have shown electrostatic application methodology can provide efficacy and significant improvements within environmental services terminal cleaning procedures.
Proper cleaning and disinfecting of environmental surfaces is a proven defense against the spread of infection. Using electrostatic infection control systems in conjunction with standardized protocols and procedures for proper surface disinfection can help meet these challenges.
Electrostatic application systems provide the end user with the ability to solve many of the problems that are present in current methods of disinfection. They reduce the time needed for proper disinfection, provide comprehensive coverage, use less disinfectant, and are easy to operate and maintain.