Move Over, Clorox

ASEE Prism, Jan 2007 by Grose, Thomas K

CHEMISTRY

A DISINFECTANT more powerful than chlorine bleach but as harmless as water? That's what Oculus Innovative Sciences, of Petaluma, Calif., has devised. Microcyn is a superoxidized water-meaning it's lacking ions-that kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as viruses, spores and fungi. In various countries, ranging from the United States to Mexico to Italy, Microcyn is being used for such medical applications as cleaning wounds, treating burns and diabetic ulcers. But Oculus thinks it'll be effective in fighting superbugs and dangerous viruses like Ebola. It may also prove to be a highly effective hospital hand wash. Superoxidized water has been around for awhile, but it usually loses its effectiveness within a few hours. But Oculus' reformulated version retains its germ-fighting properties for a year. Moreover, it's pH-neutral and can't hurt healthy tissue. Bad bugs, beware. -TG