Highlights
- Bleach, QACs, and hydrogen peroxide are common in Canadian hospitals but create serious challenges.
- Staff face respiratory and skin irritation from harsh fumes.
- Repeated chemical exposure damages equipment and surfaces.
- Antimicrobial resistance reduces effectiveness against persistent pathogens.
- Long dwell times slow patient turnover and disrupt care.
- Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) provides a safer, faster, and more effective alternative.
The Evidence: Years of Research on Worker Health
Decades of international research confirm what many Canadian healthcare workers already know: harsh disinfectants can be as damaging to people as they are to pathogens.
A 2021 meta-analysis found that cleaners and healthcare workers exposed to disinfectants face a 50% higher risk of asthma compared with non-exposed populations. In parallel, the Nurses’ Health Study reported that regular disinfectant use was linked to poorer asthma control and increased COPD risk, even at low exposure levels.
The picture is global. A study in Southern African hospitals measured staff exposure to glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and chlorhexidine and confirmed exposure–response relationships with airway disease. Another found that 14.8% of healthcare staff reported work-related skin symptoms due to cleaning agents.
These findings echo European consensus statements that professional cleaning exposures — sprays, bleach, and QACs — are a well-recognized cause of occupational asthma and demand substitution with safer alternatives.
For safer, Canadian-made disinfectants tailored for healthcare settings, explore our School & Workplace Collection.
The Problem with Chemical-Heavy Disinfectants
Canadian hospitals rely heavily on bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and hydrogen peroxide. While all are effective on paper, their drawbacks are becoming increasingly clear:
- Bleach: Corrosive, strong-smelling, and damaging to grout, metals, and equipment.
- QACs: Linked to antimicrobial resistance and ineffective against certain pathogens.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Less toxic than bleach, but irritating to skin and eyes and unstable in storage.
The Human Cost: Staff and Patient Safety
Frequent exposure to chemical disinfectants causes asthma, respiratory issues, and dermatitis among healthcare staff. Patients — especially those with weakened immune systems — are also at risk when strong fumes linger in hospital rooms. Harsh odours compromise indoor air quality and patient comfort, while staff compliance drops when products are irritating to use.
Surface and Equipment Damage
Modern hospitals are filled with delicate equipment: monitors, ventilators, and diagnostic tools. Unfortunately, bleach and QACs degrade plastics, rubber, and metal surfaces over time. Replacing or repairing this equipment adds unnecessary costs — and can even put patient safety at risk if devices fail prematurely.
Antimicrobial Resistance: A Silent Threat
The Public Health Agency of Canada highlights that pathogens like MRSA and C. difficile continue to cause outbreaks despite routine cleaning. Overuse of QACs contributes to microbial adaptation, making disinfectants less effective over time. Hospitals need disinfectants that kill pathogens without accelerating resistance.
Workflow Inefficiencies with Harsh Chemicals
Many chemical disinfectants require long dwell times (up to 10 minutes) to work effectively. In fast-paced hospital environments, waiting this long between patients or procedures is impractical. The result? Corners are cut, compliance drops, and infections persist.
HOCl: A Safer, Smarter Alternative
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) addresses all of these issues:
- Broad-spectrum power: Kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
- Rapid action: Works in under a minute, reducing room turnover time.
- Safe for staff and patients: No toxic fumes, no harmful residue.
- Non-damaging: Gentle on plastics, metals, and sensitive surfaces.
- Eco-friendly: Biodegradable and VOC-free.
Healthcare facilities worldwide are already adopting HOCl, and Canadian hospitals can follow suit with confidence.
Overcoming Spray Restrictions in Hospitals
Spray bottles are often discouraged in healthcare environments due to infection control concerns. But HOCl isn’t limited to sprays — it can also be delivered in pre-saturated wipes, foaming solutions, or controlled misting systems. These formats align with infection control policies while still offering HOCl’s proven benefits.
For professional-grade HOCl solutions, visit our School & Workplace Collection.
A Smarter Path Forward
Canadian hospitals face a clear choice: continue with harsh disinfectants that damage equipment, endanger staff, and encourage resistance — or adopt a safer, proven alternative. Hypochlorous acid offers the power hospitals need without the trade-offs.
As Health Canada’s infection prevention guidelines emphasize, safer disinfectants and proper cleaning practices are key to reducing healthcare-associated infections. HOCl aligns with these priorities by delivering effective disinfection while minimizing occupational health risks.
Take the first step toward safer infection control. Contact us to learn more about how HOCl can fit into your facility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why are traditional hospital disinfectants like bleach and QACs risky?
A: Traditional disinfectants are effective but harsh. Bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) can irritate the lungs and skin, corrode surfaces, and contribute to antimicrobial resistance over time. These drawbacks make them less sustainable for modern healthcare environments.
Reference: Public Health Ontario – Environmental Cleaning
Q2. What is hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and is it safe for healthcare use?
A: Hypochlorous acid is a disinfectant naturally produced by the human immune system. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi quickly — without toxic fumes or surface damage. It’s already used safely in hospitals, food processing, and childcare settings worldwide.
Reference: U.S. CDC – Chemical Disinfectants: Hypochlorous Acid
Q3. How does HOCl reduce occupational asthma and respiratory irritation?
A: Unlike bleach or hydrogen peroxide, HOCl does not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or reactive fumes. This makes it much safer for staff with respiratory sensitivities and aligns with research linking cleaning chemical exposure to occupational asthma.
Reference: ERS - Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants and Asthma Control in US Nurses
Q4. Can HOCl replace all disinfectants currently used in hospitals?
A: In many cases, yes — HOCl can replace bleach and QAC-based products for surface disinfection, equipment cleaning, and patient room sanitation. Hospitals may still use specialized disinfectants for high-risk biohazard tasks, but HOCl can handle most daily cleaning safely.
Reference: PubMed - Disinfection and Sterilization in Health Care Facilities
Q5. Are there restrictions on using spray bottles in hospitals?
A: Yes. Some infection control policies discourage open-air sprays to reduce aerosolization. HOCl can be delivered in safer formats like pre-saturated wipes, foaming dispensers, or closed misting systems, ensuring compliance without compromising safety.
Reference: Public Health Ontario - Environmental Cleaning
Sources
- Health Canada – Infection prevention and control guidelines
- Occupational & Environmental Medicine – Meta-analysis of asthma risk in cleaners
- Nurses’ Health Study – Disinfectant use, asthma, and COPD
- PubMed Central - Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in Canadian Acute Care Hospitals
- Public Health Ontario - Environmental Cleaning
- CADTH – Alternatives to traditional disinfectants in healthcare
- CDC – Chemical disinfectant risks in healthcare settings