We understand that you take infection prevention seriously. We have included answers to some of the questions that are asked by professionals in infection control.

If you have more specific questions, we are here to help you find answers. Should you have any further questions, please call us at 1-847-850-5530.

Q: Is Biomist Formula D2 Effective?

A: Biomist Formula D2 sanitizing solution is more effective than 70% alcohol because it contains 58.6% alcohol with a four-chain quaternary ammonium compound to provide residual killing power. Alcohol is the most widely acceptable and proven sanitizer and the quaternary ammonium compounds increase the effectiveness over alcohol alone. It is safe for humans, metals, plastics and the environment. There are many clinical studies to verify the antimicrobial effectiveness of alcohol and quat compounds, and Biomist Formula D2 has been approved by the EPA as effective against all pathogens listed on our label.

Q: What types of Pathogens is Biomist Formula D2 effective against?

A: Formula D2 is EPA registered as effective against HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, MRSA, Listeria, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Salmonella, E-coli, Tuberculosis, and Norovirus. In accordance with federal law, we may make these claims about Formula D2 because we have paid independent laboratories to test Formula D2 for each specific pathogen, and the test results have been reviewed and approved by the EPA. There are many pathogens that our company has not tested and submitted to the EPA, but this does not make these pathogens invulnerable to alcohol and quat solutions.

Q: How does alcohol kill pathogens?

A: Alcohol is a natural antiseptic that has been used in the medical field for over 100 years because it kills pathogens in seconds, without water, and evaporates quickly. Alcohol mixed with water kills bacteria and viruses by dissolving proteins and disrupting normal cell activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of alcohol or alcohol based products in hospitals, home, work, and schools to stop the spread of pathogens. For more information about the CDC’s recommendations, please visit their Web site: www.cdc.gov.

Q: What kind of PPE does the operator need to wear?

A: No special PPE is required to use the SS-20 Sanitizing System, just safety glasses and gloves.  If an operator is in a confined and airtight area, an air monitor can be worn to measure the amounts of alcohol and CO2 in the air.

Where can I use Formula D2 sanitizing solution?

Biomist Formula D2 sanitizing solution used in the SS-20 Sanitizing System is suitable for operating suites, ambulances, waiting areas, cafeterias, locker rooms, aircraft, ships, food processing equipment, computer workstations or anyplace where pathogens are hard to reach. The use of alcohol provides an effective, non-corrosive, environmentally friendly alternative to bleach and other toxic and corrosive chemicals.

Q: How long does a tank of liquid CO2 or a quart of Biomist Formula D2 last?

A: The SS-20 Sanitizing System allows the operator to adjust the ‘wetness’ of the application. Some surfaces require more or less solution based on the user requirements. That being said, A SS-20 Sanitizing System used with the applicator trigger held wide open would use one CO2 tank and six to eight quarts of Biomist Formula D2 in 1 ½ hours time and cover up to 3000 sq feet.

Another advantage of Formula D2 is the efficient use of sanitizing solution. Atomization creates a mist that reaches pathogens in small places and uses less sanitizing solution per square foot than hand sprayed chemicals. The solution is premixed, so waste is avoided and the correct concentration is assured. Biomist Formula D2 is chemically stable and has a long shelf life.

Q: What amount of contact time is required for BIOMIST FORMULA D2 to be effective?

A: Contact time is relevant to infection prevention only to the extent where it defines the duration of time needed to kill a specific pathogen. Hand sprayed chemicals make claims of short contact time because they leave wet surfaces that must be dried by hand wiping. The contact time of chemicals that must be wiped means someone is waiting for the chemical to finish working before they can do the second drying step. This additional waiting time and wiping effort is known as waste. How much wasted time and effort does your current product require?

A key advantage of Biomist Formula D2 is it’s no-wiping formula. The operator does not have to wait at the location to wipe, they can move on to sanitize other surfaces. Most surfaces are dry in 5 minutes, only an invisible layer of quaternary ammonium compound remains to kill pathogens.

The elimination of wiping reduces labor, but most importantly, ELIMINATING WIPING ELIMINATES THE SPREAD OF PATHOGENS. If more contact time is needed, a heavier spray of Formula D2 may be applied and the contact time is extended.

Q: I use a bleach or hydrogen peroxide or phenol or modified phenol product. Why should I switch to FORMULA D2 sanitizing solution?

A: Bleach, also known as chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a powerful oxidizing chemical that when mixed with water, forms chlorine radicals that aggressively oxidize other substances. This makes sodium hypochlorite a powerful disinfectant. Aside from the economical purification of drinking water, sodium hypochlorite can be substituted in most commercial processes. The key advantage of sodium hypochlorite is its low purchase price. In application, sodium hypochlorite corrodes plastics and metals, decreasing the useful life of these materials.

Chlorine is a respiratory irritant. It also attacks mucus membranes and burns the skin. As little as 3.5 ppm can be detected as an odor, and 1000 ppm is likely to be fatal after a few deep breaths. Exposure to chlorine should not exceed 0.5 ppm (8-hour time-weighted average – 40 hour week). Another hazard is the formation of dangerous chlorine gas when bleach comes into contact with ammonia. This can happen when it is accidentally mixed into a container with ammonia in it.

Sodium hypochlorite must be mixed daily to be effective, as the radicals by nature are not stable and lose their effectiveness over time. Unused sodium hypochlorite and used bleach waste water is dumped into your plumbing system and ultimately our water supply.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is useful against spores like anthrax. When H2O2 is mixed with water, it forms oxygen radicals and has disinfecting ability. In concentrated amounts it is corrosive. It has a short effective shelf life and degrades rapidly in the presence of light.

Oxidizing chemicals are effective against spores if properly mixed and applied. Users should consider if spores are a primary target pathogen before resorting to the use of oxidizing chemicals.

In contrast, FORMULA D2 is safe for food contact surfaces. FORMULA D2 is non-corrosive to metals and plastics. Persons sprayed inadvertently on the skin or clothing with a significant spray of FORMULA D2 may experience a mild cooling effect. FORMULA D2 is safe for children’s toys and athletic equipment. FORMULA D2 vapor is safe up to 400 PPM and is premixed so there’s no guesswork or math involved. The price of FORMULA D2 is competitive with the unnecessarily toxic products currently available, and FORMULA D2 can be used safely on a wider spectrum of surfaces and materials than other products.

Q: I use ECOLAB OASIS™, Caltech DISPATCH™, Clorox Bleach™. Why should I use FORMULA D2?

A: Our customers use Formula D2 because:

  • FORMULA D2 can be used in a wide variety of environments, eliminating the need to have dozens of chemicals in inventory.
  • FORMULA D2 does not damage skin or mucous membranes.
  • FORMULA D2 can be sprayed directly on electronics, keyboards, and metals without corrosion.
  • FORMULA D2 is premixed so the concentration is correct.
  • FORMULA D2 does not have to be wiped up, and it dries quickly without residue.
  • FORMULA D2 is nonflammable when used with the SS-20 Sanitizing System.
  • FORMULA D2 is safe for food contact surfaces and doesn’t require rinsing.
  • FORMULA D2 can reach small areas.
  • FORMULA D2 can reach high and low surfaces without stooping or ladders.
  • FORMULA D2 contains 58.6% alcohol, a known and proven sanitizing agent used for over 100 years.
  • If the products you are currently using could be applied on the surfaces and places where you can use FORMULA D2 – would you have an infection control challenge?