HOCl Rapidly Kills Corona, Flu, and Herpes to Prevent Aerosol Spread
Authors: Guan H, Nuth M, Weiss SR, et al. Journal of Dental Research. 2023;102(9):1031-1037. doi:10.1177/00220345231169434
Abstract
In an oral droplet-aerosol simulation platform it was found that human betacoronavirus OC43 (related to SARS-CoV-2), human influenza virus (H1N1), and HSV1 from atomizer-produced droplet-aerosols were each fully destroyed by only 100 ppm of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) within 30 s, which was the shortest time point of exposure to the virucide. Importantly, 100 ppm HOCl introduced into the oral cavity is known to be safe for humans.
In conclusion, this frontline approach establishes the potential of using 100 ppm HOCl in dental waterlines to continuously irrigate the oral cavity during dental procedures to destroy harmful viruses normally transmitted within aerosols and droplets to protect practitioners, staff, and other patients.