Improving Disinfection Outcomes with Electrostatic Technologies

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It’s becoming more difficult for facilities to stay ahead of today’s rising public health threats and increasing demands for higher levels of disinfection. Managers and service providers are challenged with improving outcomes, yet in a limited timeframe without increasing budgets or staff. The advent of advanced electrostatic technologies offers facilities new ways to achieve greater efficiencies and better outcomes.

Newfound efficiency

Traditional disinfection methods can leave a large percentage of surfaces untouched. However, when electrostatics are used in place of—or in addition to—wipes, trigger sprayers, or mops, a single team member can disinfect the same area that normally required a staff of five. This newfound efficiency enables facilities to increase disinfection frequency, which is crucial to preventing the spread of emerging viral pathogens.

Electrostatic sprayers also achieve three times the coverage of a traditional spray bottle due to positively charged disinfectant droplets, which magnetically attract to and wrap around target surfaces. Not only can users expedite the disinfection processes, they also can eliminate virtually all infectious fungi, viral particles, and bacteria from every surface.

Electrostatic options

Over the last several years, electrostatic sprayer technologies have evolved significantly and are now easier to use for disinfection purposes. Types of equipment range from handheld sprayers and self-contained backpacks  to variations of rolling cart systems, or a combination thereof. Some versions are battery-powered, while others are corded, but both are designed to positively charge the liquid solution. Battery-powered sprayers remove the potential for cord-related accidents and allow freedom of movement without being tethered to an outlet. In the past, users questioned whether batteries were strong enough to deliver consistent electrostatic application compared to cords connected to a power source. However, today’s high-performance, portable sprayer technologies are more than powerful enough to coat every surface completely and evenly.

When comparing electrostatic equipment options, ensure they are ETL or UL certified by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) to confirm they meet the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) safety standard requirements. Also make sure the equipment comes with clear guidelines to help staff use the system responsibly and with the proper disinfectant chemistries.

Electrostatic merits

Although electrostatic disinfection is on the rise, users are just beginning to realize its merits for improving disinfection outcomes. Many facilities are already seeing dramatic drops in labor costs and expenses due to faster disinfection times and triple surface coverage per ounce. In a matter of minutes, workers disinfect entire areas with just a quick pass of the electrostatic device over potentially contaminated surfaces.

Additionally, many safety benefits are associated with electrostatic disinfection processes. Applying chemicals in a more uniform and controlled manner removes the dangers of overuse and reduces waste and chemical use by as much as 60% per square foot.