HOCl is the biocidal agent. When added to water it becomes a neutral solution that pathogens allow to penetrate the cell wall. It has a similar structure to water and because of this, it easily penetrates bacterium cell wall.
The HOCl active disinfectant is measured as available chlorine. 50% of this total available chlorine is actually present as “free” available chlorine, while the other 50% is “combined” in the form of mono– or dichloroisocyanurate.
- The ratio of “free” and “combined” available chlorine always remains at 50:50 equilibrium
- As “free available” chlorine is used up (e.g. by organic matter, microorganisms, etc) the balance is disturbed
- Part of the “combined” available chlorine is then “freed” to restore the 50:50 ratio
- This happens until all the “combined” available chlorine is used up