This is the first of five articles explaining why monochloramine is the best disinfectant currently available on the market.
Biofilm
Biofilm is a thin layer of organic material generated by bacteria naturally present in water. These bacteria, after adhering to the surface, release polysaccharide material known as EPS (exopolysaccharide), proteins, and nucleic acids into the environment, which over time form a protective, nutrient-rich film. In simple terms, it is the perfect habitat for bacteria.
But what is the ideal solution to penetrate the biofilm and eliminate the root of the problem?
The answer can be found by analysing the characteristics of the most commonly used chlorine-based disinfectants:
- Chlorine/Hypochlorite Chlorine is the quintessential disinfectant for drinking water, historically significant in Legionellosis prevention. Its effectiveness against Legionella is limited due to the significant influence of pH and temperature on its biocidal activity. While the presence of chlorine prevents biofilm formation, it cannot eliminate it once formed and can cause severe corrosion over time in pipes.
- Chlorine Dioxide Currently, it is the most widely used product. Introduced and popularised by Sanipur in the Italian healthcare sector for over twenty years (SaniSweep technology), it shows high efficacy when correctly dosed. However, its characteristic as a dissolved gas and highly oxidising molecule limits its use with certain plastic materials. Like hypochlorite, its strong oxidising power results in high reactivity, and thus poor ability to penetrate the biofilm once it has established on a surface.
- Monochloramine Monochloramine, thanks to its lower oxidising power, is an extremely stable molecule capable of penetrating the deep layers of biofilm, reaching bacteria (such as Legionella) where they find protection and nourishment. Its lower reactivity allows it to maintain its disinfectant power in the deeper layers, effectively reaching the core of the biofilm where it exerts its bactericidal action. Moreover, due to its mild oxidising power, monochloramine is highly compatible with all materials present in water networks, both metallic and plastic.
Monochloramine is the best solution
Monochloramine is a suitable disinfectant for both hot and cold water and is permitted in drinking water up to a concentration of 3 mg/l according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and 4 mg/l for the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The characteristics listed above, derived from its lower oxidising power, make it the best solution for various applications, from drinking water to cooling water, and process water. Scientific evidence shows that even at 2 mg/L, it is effective in combating any type of microorganism potentially present in a humid environment.
The SANIKILL Effect
SANIKILL, il sistema brevettato da Sanipur per la produzione ed il dosaggio di monoclorammina, è la prima e unica tecnologia che utilizza questa molecola come disinfettante per l’eliminazione della Legionella e di altri patogeni acquicoli.
Numerous studies published in prestigious international scientific journals have shown that after just one week of dosing in the water distribution system, the presence of Legionella is reduced below the limits imposed by regulations.
La tecnologia SANIKILL permette di produrre monoclorammina in situ in modo controllato e sicuro a partire da precursori appositamente formulati ed ottimizzati nei nostri laboratori, diluiti e dunque assolutamente sicuri in tutte le fasi, dalla manipolazione allo stoccaggio. La produzione on demand garantisce di avere sempre prodotto fresco: l’assenza di sistemi di stoccaggio permette di minimizzare la presenza di sottoprodotti della disinfezione. Questo determina il mantenimento di perfette condizioni igienico-sanitarie dell’acqua, l’assenza di odori o sapori sgradevoli e la riduzione dei consumi dei reagenti, rendendo SANIKILL una tecnologia rispettosa dell’ambiente.
Confirming what has been observed in field applications in hundreds of Italian and American hospitals, recent studies conducted by independent entities have demonstrated the ability of monochloramine to penetrate biofilm, eliminate bacteria within it, and cause its disintegration only when it is completely safe. In contrast, chlorine and chlorine dioxide attack the surface, causing the detachment of portions of organic material that may still contain pockets of viable microorganisms, posing a serious risk to the end-user.
