Oxivir Tb and Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP) Frequently Asked Questions What is Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP)? AHP is a patented synergistic blend of commonly used, safe ingredients that when combined with low levels of hydrogen peroxide dramatically increase its germicidal potency and cleaning performance. Oxivir Tb contains AHP. AHP is composed of Hydrogen Peroxide, Surface Acting Agents (surfactants), wetting agents (a substance that reduces the surface tension of a liquid, causing the liquid to spread across or readily penetrate the surface of a solid) and chelating agents (ingredients that help to reduce metal content and/or hardness of water). All chemicals used in the formulation of AHP are commonly found in commercial and industrial cleaners and disinfectants. What is the difference between AHP and the Hydrogen Peroxide that can be purchased at a Drug Store? Hydrogen Peroxide purchased at a Drug Store is a 3% solution mixed with water. Scientists worked for many years to find a way to introduce other ingredients into this mix to create a commercially viable and effective product. AHP is a formulation of Hydrogen Peroxide, surfactants and other inert ingredients which results in less active ingredients but better cleaning and faster germicidal performance compared to a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide at 3% with water. What are the advantages of using AHP as a Cleaner & Disinfectant? AHP is a unique formulation that has the perfect balance between: Speed of Germicidal Efficacy, Cleaning Performance, Safety for Users and Occupants, and an Environmental profile. It is easy to make a strong disinfectant to kill pathogens, however, it is difficult to create one that will not damage the surfaces used on or harm the end user. This is a challenge that every chemical manufacturer faces. 1
Oxivir Tb has a Broad-Spectrum Sanitizing Claim in 30 seconds, a Bactericidal and Virucidal claim in 1 minute, a Tuberculocidal claim in 5 minutes and a Fungicidal claim in 10 minutes. AHP also provides exceptional Cleaning Properties even in the presence of dried organic and inorganic soil due to the oxidizing effect of Hydrogen Peroxide and the synergy of the ingredients in the formula. Oxivir Tb has an excellent Safety and Environmental Profile for the user and the environment. It is non-irritating to eyes and skin, is free of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and contains no ingredients in the formula that are considered to be hazardous to health per OSHA standards. The active in Oxivir Tb breaks down to oxygen and water. Are all disinfectants effective in the presence of organic soil? No, only disinfectants that are tested in the presence of organic serum are effective. Organic Matter (food or human fluid) form a barrier that can increase the time required to reach the germs or prevent their contact entirely. Further, some soils can react with a disinfectant and reduce its efficacy. To overcome this problem, Oxivir Tb has been tested in the presence of a soil called organic serum. The organic serum test measures the product efficacy when organic soils are present. To check whether a disinfectant has been tested with serum, check the label: a 5% test indicates that the test method contained 5% organic serum. What is the shelf life of AHP? Oxivir Tb will carry a 12 month shelf life from date of manufacture. What color and scent does Oxivir Tb have? For Environmental reasons, there are no dyes added to Oxivir Tb. Oxivir Tb is free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Most fragrances commonly used are classified as VOCs; therefore, no fragrance is added to Oxivir Tb. This also contributes to a better health and safety profile. Is the efficacy or stability of Oxivir Tb affected if the product is frozen? Freeze-Thaw studies have been conducted on Oxivir Tb to demonstrate that freezing will not have a negative affect on the stability and efficacy of AHP. If product arrives frozen, simply allow the product to thaw at room temperature. Once the product is completely thawed, shake to ensure the product has not separated into different phases prior to first use of the container. 2
Can Oxivir Tb be mixed with other chemicals? It is not advisable to mix chemical products, always use products according to label directed use. Oxivir Tb should never be mixed with any product, including air fresheners or bleach. What surfaces can AHP be used on? AHP can be used on most surface types if label instructions are followed. Surfaces that are composed of brass, copper or other ferrous metals may show signs of discoloration or pitting with use. Always check in an inconspicuous area prior to use to determine if a reaction will occur. What is the preferred method of applying Oxivir Tb? The method of use will depend on the area being cleaned and disinfected. Large hand contact surfaces such as table tops, large counter tops and work areas, large sinks, etc., would require the pouring of the solution onto a clean cloth, or using a coarse spray from a trigger spray bottle and thoroughly wiping the surface down. Surface should remain visibly wet for the time indicated on the label. Remove excess solution by wiping surface dry. Why would you use Oxivir Tb and not a chlorine based bleach for decontamination of environmental surfaces? Bleach emits strong odors while Oxivir Tb contains no fragrance. Bleach can be inactivated by organic matter, AHP products are tested in the presence of organic serum. Bleach is corrosive to metals, AHP is compatible with most metals except for copper and brass. Oxivir Tb is tuberculocidal, bleach is not. Bleach, if mixed with ammonia containing agents, will emit highly toxic gas. No known disposal issues are associated with AHP. Can Oxivir Tb be used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces of blood and body fluids? Yes, Oxivir Tb is effective for removal of blood and bodily fluids and meets OSHA s BBP standard. It is a two step process. Large volumes of blood and body fluids should be removed with an absorbent. Pick-up absorbent and then clean and decontaminate the area with Oxivir Tb. Follow with 2 nd step of applying Oxivir Tb to the surface. Follow the label use directions and recommended contact times. 3
How can I safely disinfect an environmental surface that has been contaminated with VRE or MRSA? Cleaning of patient rooms and medical equipment contributes to the overall control of antibiotic resistant organisms including MRSA and VRE. Routine cleaning and disinfection of housekeeping surfaces and patient-care surfaces should be adequate for inactivation of the organisms. Both MRSA and VRE are killed at label recommended use dilutions by low and intermediate level disinfectants for environmental surface disinfection. Oxivir Tb requires a one minute contact time to disinfect against MRSA and VRE. How can I safely disinfect an environmental surface that has been contaminated with Clostridium difficile? C. difficile is a spore-forming bacteria, therefore, extremely resistant to disinfectant cleaners. Environmental contamination by this organism is well known, especially in places where fecal contamination may occur. The environment (housekeeping surfaces) rarely serve as a direct source of infection for patients, however, direct exposure to contaminated patient-care items and high-touch surfaces in patient rooms of bathrooms have been implicated as sources of infection. The recommended procedure to control C. difficile is good cleaning procedures, use of gloves and other personal protective equipment as per your facilities policy, followed by disinfection with bleach or disinfectant products carrying a claim for C. difficile (vegetative). Currently there are no EPA registered surface disinfectants with label claims for inactivation of C. difficile spores. Oxivir Tb can be considered for use in cleaning or disinfecting the surface. At this time Oxivir Tb does not carry a C. difficile vegetative claim. Currently, the product Virex Tb has the C. difficile (vegetative) claim. Is Oxivir Tb effective against HIV? Yes, Oxivir Tb is effective against HIV. 4
Can AHP be used to disinfect medical equipment and devices? Oxivir Tb can be used to clean and disinfect medical equipment and devices that are classified as non-critical devices. Examples of non-critical devices include: hemodialysis machines, monitors, IV poles, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, wheels chairs, etc. Oxivir Tb can be used to pre-clean critical and semi-critical devices prior to the sterilization or high level disinfection process. This is a 510K application which is specified on the product label. I understand that the ph of AHP is acidic. Will this not cause irritation or serious damage to unprotected skin? It is important to understand that there are differences between Inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid) and Organic acids (citric acid). Organic acids are weak acids which although provide a reading of an acidic level, do not have the hazards of Inorganic Acids. Some examples of Organic acids are: Orange Juice (citric acid), Vinegar (acetic acid) & cola (phosphoric acid), all of which have a ph of 2. The acidic ph of Oxivir Tb helps improve cleaning performance on soils such as soap scum and hard water deposits on surfaces. 5