When Covid-19 hit Australia earlier this year, the race was on between leading chemical supply companies to test their disinfectants against the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the Australian TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
Looking at the current products available, Bracton decided to take a slower path to approval and prove a new active ingredient could be safer and more effective than the standard Quat (benzalkonium chloride) or peroxide disinfectants other companies were putting forward.
Michael Hunter, Managing Director of the Bracton Group has a long lineage in the chemical and cleaning industry. Having owned and operated Bracton Industries for over 30 years, his father Len Hunter and Grandfather Len Hunter Snr invented the household brand Pine’O’Clean in the 1950’s and Michael is pleased to bring another leap forward in technology to the market.
After researching the dangerous effects of increased use and high exposure levels of quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS), Bracton wanted to take a different approach toward developing a hospital grade disinfectant to successfully kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus on everyday surfaces.
The concern with QUATS and other active ingredients for disinfecting against SARS-CoV-2 were the human exposure levels. Most surface disinfectants used in everyday cleaning and sanitising contain QUATS, but were never used in such high volumes. These QUATS are now sprayed, misted and fogged in large volumes, exposing humans to levels of disinfectants that were previously unheard of.
A study published by the American Chemical Society in September 2020 found that the levels of quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS) in household dust had increased significantly in 2020 compared with 2019. This is of concern because studies in mice have linked QUATS to reproductive and development problems, and some scientists have called for more assessment of the compound’s safety (September 12, 2020 Chemical & Engineering News Vol 98/Issue 35).
Using an active ingredient with no prior approval worldwide against SARS-CoV-2, resulted in a waiting time of 6 months while the testing of the products active ingredients was validated.
Bracton can now state that Medi1 will kill 99.999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses (SARS-CoV-2) when applied to a surface.
Medi1 is listed effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 5 minutes (1 minute approval pending) and can be used on soft or hard surfaces. Exposure limits are not dangerous and Bracton has testing results that demonstrate Medi1 can be active on a surface for up to 72 hours. It can be applied by spray, or by microdiffusion with an Ultra Low Volume (ULV) or electrostatic fogging machine.
Extensively tested in Australia and overseas for material compatibility, Medi1 has been independently tested in the USA and passes the standards required by Boeing and Airbus (BSS7434 and AMS1452C) for safe use in aeroplane cabins. This is extremely important as it demonstrates that Medi1 can be used on other delicate surfaces such as poker machines, soft metals and soft furnishings without causing damage.
Bracton has also had the product independently assessed by Australia’s largest gaming/poker machine manufacturers and can now confidently state that it will cause no damage to gaming consoles or cabinets.
Michael added “ It is great that we can now confidently state that Bracton Medi1 is safe and effective for use in so many applications. It’s worrying to think what chemicals we are exposed to in the fight against COVID-19, but having tested Medi1 for safety, material compatibility and effectiveness, we believe we have the best product on the market for safety and performance”.
Medi1 is available through Bracton distributors nationwide.
Pack Sizes:
12 x 500ml Spray Pack
3 x 5lt Carton
25lt Drum w/tap
To Purchase:
Call Bracton on (02) 9938 1800 or email office@bracton.com for your closest Bracton Distributor or go directly to www.bracton.com
