Frequent Asked Questions

HOW DOES DISINFECTANT WORK?

Unlike traditional sanitizers that kill bacteria by poison or high alcohol content, our disinfectant is a food safe, water-based surface sanitizer applied as a mist then allowed to dry.

Once dry (approx. 10 minutes), the disinfectant resembles a bed of microscopic pins that attract, pierce and kill pathogens – the same principle as a pin popping a balloon. And in the same manner that the burst balloon cannot be reformed, neither can the pathogens – this means NO resistance and NO superbugs!

 

IS OUR DISINFECTANT Z-71 'FOOD SAFE'?

Yes. It has several approvals including NZ Ministry for Prime Industries (MPI / NZFSA) approvals C-22, C-81 and C-101 (including food contact), plus Asure Quality (NZ) and AQIS (Australia).

 

HOW DO I APPLY THE DISINFECTANT?

Around the home, just follow the instructions on the label – apply disinfectant via a trigger pack and allow approx. 10 minutes for drying. For commercial / technical applications, industry specific written protocols are recommended and are provided as required.

 

ARE THERE ANY TEST RESULTS FOR THE DISINFECTANT?

Yes. It has been tested in accredited laboratories located in New Zealand, Australia, UK, Germany, USA, Turkey, Taiwan, South Africa and Japan. All results are available on request.

 

CAN YOU PROVE YOUR DISINFECTANT WORKS - IN THE FIELD?

When quick (15 second) efficacy tests are required, we take swabs (before and after treatment) from the surface and measure them via an ATP device. ATP is a globally accepted method of testing for pathogenic presence and is commonly used by QA personnel in all major food and beverage production facilities.

 

IS DISINFECTANT 'TOXIC' OR CAN I USE IT AROUND MY CHILDREN?

All products have a ‘toxicity’ level – including water. In the case of our disinfectant, it has a ‘toxicity rating’ similar to that of Vitamin C, so yes – the disinfectant can be safely used around people, pets and plants alike.

 

WILL DISINFECTANT DISCOLOUR MY CLOTHES?

No. The disinfectant  is a liquid that is invisible on application. It forms an antimicrobial barrier on the skin and will not stain clothing nor discolour skin.

 

WILL THE DISINFECTANT WASH OR RUB OFF?

No. It does not rub off and will remain active on the skin’s surface for 24

hours. Normal washing of the hands and drying with a towel will not affect efficacy.

 

HOW WILL MY HANDS FEEL ONCE I HAVE APPLIED THE DISINFECTANT ?

On application, the hands feel silky and moisturised without leaving a visible film or coating. A single application of the Disinfectant will act like a glove, providing an invisible bond to the skin for 24 hours without the need for reapplication.

 

SHOULD I APPLY THE DISINFECTANT MORE THAN ONCE A DAY?

You don’t have to… It remains active on the skin until natural exfoliation has occurred and this usually takes 24 hours or so (depends on exercise etc). But within high risk environments (Health Care etc), it’s OK to use it more frequently.

 

WILL THE DISINFECTANT HAND SANITISER DRY MY HANDS AND CAUSE CHAPPED SKIN?

No. Unlike other hand sanitisers that contain up to 70% alcohol and chap the hands and dry the skin, Zoono GermFree24 is a mild but effective formulation. On application, Zoono GermFree24 leaves hands soft and moisturised.

 

WHEN THE DISINFECTANT IS APPLIED TO THE HANDS WILL IT ALLOW THE SKIN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY?

Yes. It does not inhibit the normal function of the skin. The antimicrobial layer produced by application of the disinfectant and which bonds to the skin is permeable to gases and allows the skin to “breath” normally.

 

HAS THE DISINFECTANT BEEN TESTED ON A VARIETY OF SKIN TYPES?

Yes. Dermatest in Germany has tested our disinfectant on a variety of skin types (older people, young people, fair skinned and dark skinned people etc) – with zero reactions recorded.

 

WILL YOUR DISINFECTANT EVER BE AVAILABLE AS A HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT?

Yes. It is soon to launch a laundry product designed for use in domestic washing machines. One application of this product will provide antimicrobial protection for 5 washes.

 

WHY IS THE DISINFECTANT PREFERRED OVER A SILVER BASED ANTIMICROBIAL?

Silver ions have been infused into fabrics in the past as an antibacterial but are now being actively phased out (globally) as silver is not environmentally friendly.

 

HOW DOES THE DISINFECTANT WORK?

The disinfectant is a commercial textile concentrate based on proven technology and is diluted depending on the fabric and the required efficacy. Tests confirm it continues to provide antimicrobial protection on fabrics even after 75 washes at 60°C.

 

DOES THE ADDITION OF DISINFECTANT IN A FABRIC ALTER IT'S 'FEEL'?

No. Regardless of whether the treatment is on fine silk or on denim overalls, the feel will remain the same.

 

What Is The Difference Between Chlorine Dioxide & Chlorine Bleach?

Unfortunately, the word “chlorine” is found in both Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2) and Chlorine Bleach (NaCLO). This has led to a lot of confusion.

Chlorine Dioxide:

• Does NOT release free chlorine
• Does NOT release harmful byproducts
• Highly effective on bacteria, virus, protozoa, algae, fungus
• Long term residual disinfection effectiveness
• Non-corrosive, does not react with ammonia
• Microbes do not build resistance
• Broad spectrum antimicrobial
• Kills spores
• Effective at a wide range of ph.

Chlorine dioxide is not another form of chlorine. We can draw an analogue to hydrogen and hydrogen cyanide, they are both gases, have the same first name, but completely different properties. So too with chlorine dioxide and chlorine, indeed one molecule does make a big difference.

Chlorine Dioxide is defined in the USA as having “no elemental free chlorine .. hence it does not chlorinate. It is because of this fact and the amazing chemistry of chlorine dioxide that it is slowly becoming an important tool in disinfection and oxidation in the world to-day.

Chlorine dioxide is a molecule consisting if 1 chlorine atom and 2 oxygen atoms. Abbreviated to CL02.

• It has a molecular weight of 67.45.
• It is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures.
• It has a melting point of -S9°C.
• It has a boiling point of 11 °C
• It is yellowish/ green and has an odor similar to that of chlorine.
• It is denser than air and is water soluble at standard temperatures and pressures up to 2500 ppm.
• It is explosive in air at concentrations > 10%
• It will decompose in the presence of UV, high temperatures, and high alkalinity(> ph 12).
• The physical and chemical properties of chlorine dioxide outline below will unravel its amazing capabilities.
• Chlorine dioxide does not dissociate in water. It stays as chlorine dioxide therefore its ability to operate as a disinfectant/sanitizer is independent of pH.
• Chlorine dioxide is an oxidant with a low redox potential. It has a redox potential of +o.96 mV compared to chlorine of +1.36 mV. There is no relationship between redox and disinfecting efficacy.

Chlorine dioxide has a few specific chemical reactions. From this property a number of very interesting properties are derived:

• It has a very low toxicity rating; indeed, some formulations have GRAS status.
• It is generally regarded as a ”no – irritant”.
• It is not corrosive as a pure chlorine dioxide solution.
• Its reactions are selective hence as an oxidant reagent consumption is maximized in the redox reaction not through side reactions.

In conclusion, therefore we have a disinfectant / sanitizer which Is an oxidant with few chemical reactions, no pH limitations, very low toxicity, worldwide approval for drinking water, very high efficacy against micro-organisms, has a strong and measurable residual. The product when applied at use concentration in water will not corrode equipment; will not produce an environment harmful to workers or consumers. ch (NaCLO). This has led to a lot of confusion.