- Browse Methods
- Why Choose CD?
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Steam
- Fogging
- iHP®
- Ethylene Oxide
- Formaldehyde
- Spray and Wipe
Method Comparisons
iHP® is a positively charged fine mist and a relatively new agent utilized for fogging, however it still has all the same distribution drawbacks as its original fogging counterparts as well as additional drawbacks inherent to its chemical properties. The positively charged ions created will repel each other and create better distribution in areas as compared to other fogging agents, but the agent will also be repelled away from other common positively charged materials in the space such as glass and aluminum. These materials may not receive an adequate concentration of iHP® for decontamination. Alternatively, common negatively charged articles such as rubbers and plastics will strongly attract iHP® and will draw concentration away from nearby areas and create an uneven distribution (and uneven decontamination) within your target area.
Principles of Effective Decontamination
The Principles of Effective Decontamination are the underlying fundamentals which must be achieved in order to ensure a successful decontamination cycle and apply to all decontaminating agents. Each agent's chemical and physical properties will affect the extent to which these principles are met and will influence the overall effectiveness of the decontamination cycle. Environmental factors will influence these properties and will play an important role in the effectiveness of your agent.
Complete Distribution
In order for any sterilant to be successful, it must reach all surfaces. True gases such as chlorine dioxide gas, formaldehyde, and ethylene oxide offer the best distribution properties. Liquids and vapors, such as hydrogen peroxide, are limited by temperature and environmental factors which negatively affect their distribution properties and effectiveness.
Total Penetration
In addition to complete distribution, the sterilant must be able to penetrate into all areas. As explained above, gases have superior penetration abilities as compared to liquid and vapor agents.
Concentration and Contact Time
Once your sterilizing agent has distributed to and thoroughly penetrated into all areas, it must remain there long enough to provide the desired level of kill. If it is difficult to get distribution and penetration throughout your target areas as it is for liquids and vapors, then it will also be a challenge to achieve the appropriate concentration and contact time required.