Tests confirm sterilization effects of HClO
20th January 2025
JAPAN: Panasonic claims to have verified the sterilisation effect of hypochlorous acid (HClO) on airborne and attached bacteria in tests with Gunma Paz University.
Hypochlorous acid is a known antiseptic and disinfectant and has been recognised as being effective in sterilising many bacteria and viruses, including influenza viruses and covid-19. Having been researched by Panasonic for over 30 years, the Japanese air conditioning manufacturer now claims to have proven its effectiveness in a real-life environment.
Panasonic’s collaboration with Takasaki-based Gunma Paz University through its Advanced Medical Science Research Centre verified the sterilisation effect of hypochlorous acid on airborne and attached bacteria in an actual usage space.
The Advanced Medical Science Research Center at Gunma PAZ University promotes pioneering medical science research. It conducts essential and important research in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, such as the development of new diagnostic methods for viral infections, as well as research into infection control within hospitals and facilities and the identification of their causes.
In these latest tests, actual classrooms and practice rooms at Gunma Paz University were used to verify the sterilisation effect of hypochlorous acid. For airborne bacteria, two ventilated and air conditioned classrooms of about 115m2 were prepared.
A verification device equipped with a function to generate hypochlorous acid aqueous solution inside the device and a dust collection filter was installed in one of them. The device was operated 24 hours a day for five days and airborne bacteria collected. It was confirmed that the number of bacteria was reduced by about 85% in the classroom where the verification device was installed.
In addition, airborne bacteria in the classroom were identified, and various bacteria and fungi such as mould, bacillus spp and staphylococcus aureus were detected.
For attached bacteria, petri dishes with escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and staphylococcus aureus attached were placed 8m away from a verification device in an unmanned laboratory of approximately 192m2 with ventilation and air conditioning in operation. When compared with no verification device (natural decay) after 24 hours, a 99.9% reduction in staphylococcus aureus was confirmed.
Going forward, the two parties say they will continue to deepen their industry-academia collaboration, aiming to reduce the risk of infectious diseases and create “infection-controlled spaces” where people can live safely and securely.
These latest tests with Gunma Paz University are in addition to Panasonic’s establishment in 2022 of its IAQ Verification Centre in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture as a facility for conducting more advanced verification of hypochlorous acid.
