Ecolab Inc. announced it is the first to receive EPA product approval for disinfection of biofilmsi in wastewater drains for its Virasept product, designed to help effectively combat bacterial growth in hospitals.
Virasept (EPA Reg. No. 1677-226) is a patented, peracid mixture, ready-to-use cleaner, deodorizer and hospital disinfectant.
“Effective drain biofilm disinfection reduces the risk of environmental transmission of pathogens found in biofilms,” explains Linda Homan, RN, BSN, CIC, and senior manager of Clinical Affairs for Ecolab Healthcare. “We are excited about this first-to-market foaming application solution and believe it will be unique for some time.”
Because they are wet, drains are a high-risk environment for biofilm growth and a vector for hospital-associated infections, and recently published studies have identified sink drains as potentially important reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant organisms. Other published clinical studies have shown that foaming is a more effective way to apply product to drains compared to liquids as it ensures contact time compliance.
Bringing decades of expertise in infection prevention, the Ecolab team worked together with the EPA to refine the test methods required to show foaming efficacy against these pathogens in drain biofilms.
In addition to this foaming application for drain biofilms, Virasept has broad claims on more than 30 organisms of concern including C. diff, TB, and norovirus. It is included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.ix As part of this submission, Virasept also received EPA approval for claims against C. auris, Legionella pneumophila, and Listeria monocytogenes, further enhancing its applications.
