What is HOCl? Quick Facts

• HOCl is the scientific formula for hypochlorous acid, a weak acid similar to that of a mild citrus juice.

• HOCl is made naturally by white blood cells in all mammals for healing and protection.

• HOCl is a powerful oxidant that is effective against invading bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

• Generating HOCl by running electricity through a solution of saltwater was discovered in 1970s.

• HOCl is now used in healthcare, food safety, water treatment, and general sanitation.

Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) vs. Sodium Hypochlorite (Chlorine Bleach)

Hypochlorite ion (OCl-) carries a negative electrical charge, while hypochlorous acid (HOCl) carries no electrical charge. The hypochlorous acid moves quickly, able to oxidize the bacteria in a matter of seconds, while the hypochlorite ion might take up to a half hour to do the same. Germ surfaces carry a negative electrical charge which results in a repulsion of the negatively charged hypochlorite ion to the area of the germ surfaces, making hypochlorite ion less effective at killing germs. The ratio of the two compounds is determined by the relative acidity (pH) of the water. Water treatment specialists can adjust the pH level to make hypochlorous acid more dominate, as it is more efficient at killing bacteria. The hypochlorous acid's lack of electrical charge allows it to more efficiently penetrate the protective barriers surrounding germs.

Clinical use of HOCl for disinfection of surfaces and air.

Electrolysis Systems

The electrolysis systems have developed that can generate stable hypochlorous acid using table salt and water. Distilled vinegar is sometimes added to lower the pH allowing for a solution of free chlorine more dominated by the hypochlorous acid molecule. Achieving a pH of 5-6 is ideal for the most effectivity of HOCl.

What are the benefits?

Hypochlorous acid, unlike chlorine bleach, is 100% safe and non-irritant. If it gets on your skin or in your eyes, it will not burn. Even if it were accidentally ingested, it is completely harmless. Yet, it is 70-80 times more efficient at killing microbial pathogens than chlorine bleach.

Where can it be used?

In the clinic HOCl is an ideal disinfectant for surfaces, dental chairs, air disinfection, water pipes and tubes. HOCl also is very useful in disinfecting dental instruments prior to the sterilization in the autoclave.

HOCl instead of tap water:

In the dental practice when we use the turbine, handpiece or ultrasounds we generate aerosols and thus little particles of water and germs can be suspended on air for quite a long time. For this reason we use HOCl instead of water for the dental instruments, so the aerosol generated contains hypochlorous acid and kills the bacteria and viruses.

Air fogging / nebulization with HOCl:

The clinical area is periodically nebulized with HOCL to kill any potential germ that is in the air as well as all the surfaces. Below there are a 1 video of the treatment room and 1 video of the waiting rooms being treated with HOCl fogging.

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