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The science

How hypochlorous works

Hypochlorous is the molecule that white blood cells called neutrophils make to destroy microbes they have engulfed.[1][2]

See it step by step Why pH matters

Go deeper: how hypochlorous attacks microbes, step by step

Step by step

From the body's defences to your yard

Four stages, drawn the way biology textbooks draw them. Choose a stage to zoom in and watch it happen, or step through the whole story.

OOCl⁻OClOClOClNeutrophil (white blood cell)Lobed nucleusPhagosomeMicrobeMyeloperoxidase (MPO)Hydrogen peroxideChloride (Cl⁻)HypochlorousSSSOClOClOClMicrobeMembraneProteinSulphur sites (S)Passes in: small and unchargedReacts in millisecondsOClOClOClOClProteins clumpEnergy chain stopsPumps stopDNA copying stopsOClCl⁻OOLightHypochlorous (HOCl)Chloride (Cl⁻)Oxygen (O₂)Half-life 1–4 hours
  1. 1 · Made by the body White blood cells called neutrophils make hypochlorous to destroy microbes they have engulfed.[1][2]
  2. 2 · Fast to act It reacts within milliseconds with the sulphur-containing parts of proteins.[3][4]
  3. 3 · Many targets at once So several vital systems in a microbe fail at once.[4]
  4. 4 · Then it breaks down In light it breaks down to chloride and oxygen, and it does not build up in living things.[8]

Why pH matters

One molecule, two forms

In water, hypochlorous is present as uncharged HOCl or as the charged hypochlorite ion, OCl⁻. Which form wins depends on pH, and at 25 °C the two are in equal balance at about pH 7.5.[5]

HOCl is the form that does the germicidal work. The hypochlorite ion matters more for cleaning action.[6] Move the slider to see how the balance shifts.

HOCl, uncharged Hypochlorite, OCl⁻, charged

77%

of the free chlorine is uncharged HOCl at pH 7.0. Move the slider to change the pH.

Calculated as 1 / (1 + 10(pH − 7.53)), using the dissociation constant at 25 °C.[5] Illustrative only; not a statement of any product's pH.

How hypochlorous compares with alcohol on hands

In four numbers

ms

It reacts within milliseconds with the sulphur-containing parts of proteins.[3][4]

7.5

The pH at which HOCl and hypochlorite are in equal balance at 25 °C.[5]

>95%

Of the free available chlorine in SPT95 is present as HOCl, according to Supra Perfecta.[7]

675ppm

Strength of EQ8 DEFEND Multipurpose Sanitising Spray.[9]

CLEAN · PROTECT · PERFORM

Hand and surface hygiene from Equine8, activated by SPT95.[9]

Activated by SPT95 · The proven standard

The technology

Activated by SPT95

Supra Perfecta Technologies Limited makes SPT95 by what it describes as a proprietary manufacturing process.[10]

Supra Perfecta Technologies Limited states that it tests its products at independent UKAS-accredited laboratories.[7]

See the standards

Put it to work

The EQ8 range

EQ8 DEFENDSanitising Handrub100 ml · 1000 ppmLearn more EQ8 CLEARSanitising Handrub100 ml · 675 ppmLearn more EQ8 DEFENDMultipurpose Sanitising Spray500 ml ℮ · 675 ppmLearn more EQ8 DEFENDMultipurpose Sanitising Liquid20 L ℮ · 2000 ppmLearn more

Questions

Where does hypochlorous come from?

White blood cells called neutrophils make it to destroy microbes they have engulfed.[1][2]

Why does pH matter?

pH sets the balance between uncharged HOCl and the hypochlorite ion.[5] HOCl is the form that does the germicidal work.[6]

What is left after use?

In light it breaks down to chloride and oxygen, and it does not build up in living things.[8]

Does the slider show the pH of EQ8 products?

No. It illustrates the chemistry only. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.