How to use a fogging machine to disinfect your home and or business against the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Cleaning and disinfecting medium to large areas with accuracy and a high degree of killing unseen pathogens in hidden areas is challenging. The CDC defines "cleaning" as the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Still, this process does not kill germs but helps reduce their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting against Covid-19, however, refers to using certain products to kill pathogens on surfaces, thereby lowering the risk of spreading disease.

If you use just a spray bottle and towel, you will be guaranteed to miss many areas that could be harboring the coronavirus (Covid-19) or other harmful microorganisms. Over the years, I have cleaned and disinfected many properties, both small and large. What I have found to be the most effective method to disinfect medium and large buildings is by using what is called a "handheld fogger or fogging machine," which can be characterized as dry fog systems or wet fog systems.

A wet fog machine normally uses a chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide-based product, and dry fog systems use a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant/sterilant for decontamination. Some machines require a specific hydrogen peroxide-based product.

For several decades, the medical industry has been utilizing these machines for sanitizing hospitals and sterilizing medical equipment. Also, mold and environmental remediators like myself use foggers regularly in their business to kill and prevent toxic mold and other harmful microorganisms. In 2014, even NASA started using and promoting these machines along with a particular disinfecting product. (1)

A 2017 study of the virucidal activity of using a fogging machine with chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants against Human Norovirus found a significant advantage to fogging in that it can uniformly provide exposure to disinfectant throughout the room, covering even hard-to-reach surfaces. Further, since fogging is semi-automated, covers a wide area, and should inactivate the airborne virus, it should allow higher sanitation efficacy, increased compliance, and better worker productivity." (2)

The reason that they work much better is that instead of targeting small target areas with a spray bottle and towel, when done properly, fogging blankets the entire area of a property in a very rapid amount of time, which includes hidden areas you cannot get to with disinfectant. With a functional ULV spray unit, you will be able to dispense very fine aerosol droplets (fog) that cover your ceilings, walls, floors, and all surfaces in order to kill and prevent the coronavirus.

In addition to being able to cover a large area and get into hidden areas in a quick amount of time, you will also use much less disinfectant product because the amount sprayed by ULV units is small compared to the area treated, which minimizes exposure and risks to people and the environment.

With a dry fogger, surfaces remain dry during dispersal. Wet/Mist fog systems use various disinfectants for decontamination and will become wet during dispersal. The idea is to cover most surfaces lightly but not soak them during decontamination. The amount of product to use and its approximate dispersal time must be calculated correctly by the user.

There are many different types of machines available on the market, but finding one during this crisis is easier said than done. They range in price from $150 upwards to $5,000 or more. In my opinion, 99% of people and businesses do not need to purchase some expensive $5,000 fogger. In my experience, a good machine such as an electric ultra-low volume (ULV) wet fogging machine can be found online for $300-900 and with 1 gallon of disinfectant, you can easily cover every surface of a 2,500 square foot building with a disinfectant in an hour or less.

Please note that in my own experience with my mold company, and after reading several studies, I discovered that chlorine-dioxide (bleach) based products are incredibly toxic to humans, pets, and the environment. After getting sick several times earlier in my career after fogging, even with a full face chemical respirator mask and knowing each time I had smelled the chlorine-dioxide or it had somehow soaked through my Tyvek suit and my clothes into my skin and made me nauseous, I knew I had to find a safer but effective solution. That is how Pure Hydrogen Peroxide was born in 2018.

In a recent study, scientists found fogging with hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective product to use against many types of harmful microorganisms and viruses. The researchers stated;

“Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VPHP) represents a safe alternative to the use of these toxic gases and the need for their neutralization prior to release into the atmosphere. VPHP breaks down into oxygen and water, both of which are environmentally benign. Aqueous H2O2 is active against a wide range of organisms: bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores .” (3)

I'm sure you or your loved ones have been sickened or become nauseous when you smell bleach, so please DO NOT use it to disinfect. In my next article, I will explain more of the science of how and why hydrogen peroxide and better yet, food-grade hydrogen peroxide is much better and safer than chlorine dioxide.

HOW TO FOG A ROOM:

* Make sure you first have the proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as waterproof or chemical resistant gloves, an adequate respirator or sufficient mask, eye protection, long pants, sleeves, and good shoes or boots..

* Test areas and or surfaces of concern for damage and or bleaching etc.

* Open all cupboards, drawers, desks etc.

* Start in the furthest corner of the room about 6-10 feet from the back wall/corner and ceiling.

* Plug your machine with an extension cord into the front of the room where the enter and exit door is located.

* Point the fogger at the furthest upper corner of the ceiling and turn it on.

* Quickly adjust the mist to a fine spray so that not too much liquid is dispersed

* Leave a fine mist upon every surface in the building including the ceiling, walls, furniture, and floors working the fogger left to right up and down as you slowly walk back out of the property.

* Unplug your machine and close the door.

* Let the disinfectant sit on the surfaces and self dry. The drying time depends upon the product used, the amount sprayed by the applicator, and the humidity at the time of application.

As I mentioned above, I have found that 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide is the best because it is much safer, does not bleach or damage surfaces when applied correctly, and dries incredibly quickly - sometimes within 10-20 minutes.

WHAT TYPE OF MACHINE OR BRAND SHOULD YOU BUY?

Here are the most common brands and prices of affordable fogging machines on the market right now. These machines go by various names, but I have discovered most, if not all, are made in China and shipped to the United States. Still, there are a few who claim to be manufactured in the states.

Unfortunately, many are unavailable, hard to find, and or the prices have doubled due to increased demand. You can check for sellers on Amazon, eBay, and OfferUp.

Training is not required for any of these machines, and you will be up and running within minutes. You will become a pro after about ten fogging applications and get better by the day.

Fogmaster Jr® 5330

The Fogmaster Jr 5330 costs $127, which includes a 1-year warranty. The system holds 1 quart of disinfectant, has an adjustable flow rate that can dispense up to 89 ml of disinfectant per minute, and requires manual operation for dispersal of the disinfectant.

Fogmaster Corporation Micro-Jet ULV 7401

The Micro-Jet ULV 7401 costs $516, which includes a 5-year warranty. The Micro-Jet ULV 7401 uses disinfectants approved for use in a fog system. The system holds 1 gallon of disinfectant, has an adjustable flow rate that can dispense up to 237 ml of disinfectant per minute, and requires manual operation for dispersal of the disinfectant.

Hudson 99598 Fog Electric Atomizer Sprayer

The Hudson industrial-grade fogger/atomizer is a portable unit that includes a large commercial coiled hose for directing ULV chemical mist up to 13.5 feet with a 2-gallon tank and carrying strap. It operates on 110V AC power and outputs 22-46 microns particle size – average droplet 20-micron adjustable output of 1.5 - 14 gallons per hour. It comes with a 90-day limited warranty.

I have used this unit for years in my mold remediation business, and my last one lasted almost 3 years with regular weekly use. It is definitely powerful and well worth the money. I currently own 2 of these units.

Chinese Electric ULV Fogger

There are many types of foggers coming out of China, but the most common is this type which I have owned and own several at the moment. They are cheaply made and mostly plastic, so you have to be very careful in handling and making sure you clean your tank after each use. They are light and have a 7-liter tank. You will find them on Amazon and eBay from $350-$500, and they often ship from China,

Ryobi Cordless Fogger

The Ryobi ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Fogger/Mister with 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included costs $99.97 at Home Depot. It claims to cover up to 1000 sq. ft. in less than 1-minute. Sold only through Home Depot and unavailable at the time of this publication, which means they are sold out.

Tri Jet ULV Non Thermal Fogger

These sturdy machines are manufactured by Createch USA. It uses a nonthermal operation spraying either oil or water-based products. It comes with an intake filter, power supply cord, heavy-duty motor, triple action nozzle, and five-year manufacturers limited warranty.

Keep in mind that before a property can be disinfected, it must first be manually cleaned. The amount of time it takes for manual cleaning depends upon how dirty the property or equipment is. The idea is to deep clean things once and then keep a strict cleaning regime that makes it fast and straightforward to disinfect regularly.

If you have any questions about fogging or bulk purchases of food-grade hydrogen peroxide, please feel free to send me an email to moe@purehydrogenperoixde.com or call me at 619-349-7033.

SOURCES:

1. NASA- Sterilizing Fogger Cleans Ambulances with a Breeze

2. Virucidal Activity of Fogged Chlorine Dioxide- and Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Disinfectants against Human Norovirus and Its Surrogate, Feline Calicivirus, on Hard-to-Reach Surfaces

3. Efficacy of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide against Exotic Animal Viruses,