Fast Shipping from Los Angeles & New Jersey

How effective are Disinfectant Fogger Machines?

How effective are Disinfectant Fogger Machines on the Germs?

Disinfectant Fogger Machines

People are obsessed with statistics. You must have observed that many brands claim that their product is 99.99% effective in eradicating germs. While these claims may or may not be true, as an individual one needs to understand whether the product they are using is effective enough. It makes sense, right? We use products because they bring effective change. What about disinfectant fogger machines?

In this article, we are specifically discussing whether the disinfectant fogging machines are effective in eliminating the germs or not. The article will briefly talk about disinfectant machines & their types, the working of multiple disinfectant fogger machines & sanitizer fogger machines, and the safety & uses of disinfectant fogger machines.

Introduction to Disinfection

Man disinfecting using a disinfectant fogger machine

Never did we ever think that a virus, so strong would attack that it caused lockdowns in the majority of the world, not for a few days, but even for months at many places. Eliminating this pesky pathogen became essential. Now, we know the enemy, so what about the weapons? Luckily, we had a few already in our hands. 

Hand Sanitizers and Safety Gloves protect our hands & effectively eliminate the coronavirus (Sanitizers are recommended in the absence of soap  & water). Face Masks & Respirators restricted the entry of coronavirus & other pathogens into our bodiesBut, Disinfectant Fog machines, also known as sanitizer fogger machines, played a vital role in eliminating coronavirus & other pathogens from the surfaces. Also, disinfectant sprays & disinfectant wipes accompanied the disinfectant fogger machines in the disinfection of surfaces.

So, what is disinfection? Disinfection is a cleaning procedure to get rid of pathogens in a particular spot or surface. Basically, you would require something called ‘Disinfectants’ for the process of disinfection to occur. After the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, personal & public hygiene became extremely vital. Disinfection of surfaces, especially at workplaces & crowded areas became important. Why? These places usually have the potential of becoming a spot of the mass spread of diseases (more importantly, COVID-19). 

Note:- Disinfection is found useful in either eliminating or inactivating coronavirus.

How to Disinfect?

Disinfection using Disinfectant wipes

Well, disinfection isn’t tough. For smaller areas & surfaces, you can disinfect using disinfectant sprays or even disinfectant wipes. That would be more than enough. But, for large areas like workplaces, warehouses, barns, crowded spaces & large open areas, disinfectant fogging seems to be a better solution.

What is disinfectant fogging?

Disinfectant fogging is a process of converting disinfectant fog juice into vapor (fog) that eliminates pathogens. The vapor (fog) settles down on the surfaces & disinfects them. It is considered a highly effective method of disinfection, especially in eradicating pathogens that can be transmitted via droplets. So, disinfectant fogging can potentially eradicate coronavirus. It has additional advantages of covering large areas & spaces in less time with greater effectiveness. 

Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses needed to ensure workspace safety & hygiene. So, if the employees are needed back to the offices, disinfection of surfaces of the workspaces becomes inevitable. So, most of them are looking towards disinfectant fogger machines as their solution.

Disinfectant Fogger Machine

What does the CDC talk about disinfectant fogging? CDC completely approves disinfection processes. It also gives information about the best practices of disinfection. Using the EPA registered disinfectant chemicals are highly recommended as they are less (or not) harmful to human health while still eliminating coronavirus & pathogens effectively.  

Working of Disinfectant Fogging Machines

The basic principle remains the same. The fog juice (mixture of disinfectant chemical & fogging liquid) is converted into vapor (fog). The working methodology highly depends upon the type of disinfectant fogger machine, disinfectant to be used & type of fogging process. So, the effectiveness of disinfection is also highly dependent on these factors.

Types of Disinfectant Fogger Machines

Dry or Thermal Fogger Machines: 

Disinfectant fog juice is converted into dry vapor (fog). These disinfectant fogger machines work by the application of heat (thermal energy). Thermal fogger machines produce small fog particles that disinfect a wider area faster. They even have a better penetration when compared to the wet fogger machines.

Wet Fogger Machines or Electrostatic sprayers: 

Wet foggers usually don’t propagate as dry vapor, instead, they are sprayed as wet vapor or mist. In the case of electrostatic sprayers, they positively charge the disinfectant particles. These positively charged particles then disinfect the negatively charged surfaces. 

ULV or Cold Fogger Machines:

ULV Fogger Machine

ULV fogger machines are also wet fogger machines but produce extremely small particles in the range of 1 to 50 μm. ULV fogger machines are much more effective in disinfection when compared to wet fogger machines due to their smaller particle size.

Types of Fogging Processes

  1. Chemical Fogging
  2. Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP)
  3. Ozone fogging & UV Light
  4. Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) Treatment
  5. Ionization

Safety of the Fogging Processes

Ozone fogging can be potentially harmful to humans & the environment, if not done properly. Even with other disinfectants, there is always a potential risk. As disinfectants are actually chemicals themselves, the ones disinfecting using disinfectant fogger machines should compulsorily wear safety equipment like a PPE kit. After disinfectant fogging, the surface should not be wiped for at least a couple of hours for better disinfection effectiveness & elimination of pathogens.

Note:- 

  1. If disinfectant fogging is applied in the wrong way, or under improper conditions, then it can be inefficient & even harmful to the environment as well as the health of the individuals of the area.
  2. Check the label of the disinfectant & disinfectant fogger machine for the instructions regarding disinfection.
  3. Always refer to the List N by EPA before choosing a disinfectant. The one you are going to use must fall in the list N.

Where are Disinfectant Fogger Machines used?

Sanitizing Fogger Machine

In the pandemic, disinfectant fogger machines like the True Guard Disinfectant Spraying Fogger Machine by True PPE. True Guard can also be used as Sanitizer Fogger Machine. It can be used in Medical Facilities, Gyms & Fitness Centers, Commercial Facilities, Office Spaces, Houses of Worship, Hospitality, Food Service, Cars, Trucks, Trains, Aerospace, Boats & Cruise Ships, HVAC Systems, Residential, and many more.

Effectiveness of Disinfectant Fogging & Conclusion

If we are specifically talking about the fogging effectiveness for COVID-19, according to CDC, fogging isn’t the best & a standalone option. Fogging does aid in the elimination of pathogens. It must be viewed as a precautionary measure rather than a solution. Fogging has its advantages & disadvantages. But, it surely is one of the best disinfection solutions for larger areas (when you have less time). 

To talk about the effectiveness of disinfectant fogging (& disinfectant fogger machines) depends upon multiple factors. These factors are the area & surface to be disinfected, the disinfectant to be used, the type of disinfectant fogger machine, and many more. If the analysis of the factors is correct & disinfectant fogging is applied properly, then the effectiveness would be high.

Click if you are interested to know more about fogger machines.