Publications
Recontamination of water during transport and storage is a common problem in low-income settings. Chlorination is the most effective solution to reduce this recontamination. Among the devices tested, the T-chlorinator showed the most promise, offering 90% dosing accuracy, ease of use, simple maintenance, and affordability. Other options, such as end-of-line dosers, are easy to use but prone to damage. Establishing a sustainable supply chain for chlorine products remains a major challenge.
Antenna’s technology enables the local production of high-quality sodium hypochlorite at low cost, improving public health and patient safety in developing countries. In Guinea Conakry and Burkina Faso, results show significant and promising adoption, with plans for larger-scale expansion. The company’s WATA devices are used in thirty countries, regularly producing an HS equivalent to 6g/L of active chlorine, demonstrating their effectiveness and utility.
A systematic review examined 14 controlled studies published between 1989 and 2013 on the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite in reducing surface contamination and preventing hospital-acquired infections. Most studies showed that hypochlorite inhibits the growth of microorganisms and reduces infections and colonization, although its effectiveness decreases in the presence of dirty and dried viruses. Despite its effectiveness as a disinfectant, the direct relationship with the reduction of hospital-acquired infections remains unclear due to the lack of control for confounding variables. This review highlights the importance of developing a specific protocol to maximize and evaluate the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite in preventing hospital-acquired infections.
SARS-CoV-2, which causes severe respiratory infections, spreads through droplets, hands, or contaminated surfaces with an incubation period of 2 to 10 days. Studies show that coronaviruses can persist for up to 9 days on surfaces such as metal, glass, or plastic, but are effectively inactivated within one minute by disinfectants such as 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. Other biocidal agents are less effective. In the absence of specific treatments for SARS-CoV-2, early containment and strict prevention are essential to control the spread.
This report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control provides recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of healthcare facilities and non-hospital premises potentially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. It details the persistence of the virus on various surfaces and suggests effective disinfectants, such as 70-80% ethanol and sodium hypochlorite. The report emphasizes the importance of ventilation before cleaning, the use of disposable cleaning materials, and the use of personal protective equipment. Rigorous disinfection is crucial to reduce the risk of transmission by fomites.
This WHO document highlights the importance of sodium hypochlorite in cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19. Although virus transmission through contaminated surfaces has not been formally established, the use of sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of 0.1% is recommended for general environmental disinfection. This practice, combined with appropriate cleaning and disinfection measures, helps reduce the risk of virus transmission, thus highlighting the importance of using this disinfectant agent.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a new, low-cost technology in rural Benin (West Africa) that locally produces chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) and then injects it into the local water system. By using electrochlorinator devices adapted to field conditions, this technology can effectively eliminate many traditional microbiological water contamination problems. However, the success of the tested technology depends on the infrastructure of the water facility.