Xinix Global AB’s FreeBact® uses Chlorine Dioxide to ensure safe water and surfaces, tackling infection risks in hospitals and supporting the NHS’s commitment to patient safety and sustainability.
Access to clean water and hygienic surfaces is critical for maintaining safety and infection control in health care environments. In the UK, ensuring safe water and surface hygiene in hospitals is essential, especially given the risks associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). A recent report by the Swiss organization EAWAG revealed a stark new reality: 4.4 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water, a significant jump from the previously estimated 1.8-2 billion. This global crisis serves as a reminder that even in developed nations like the UK, water and surface contamination can threaten patient safety.
Swedish company Xinix Global AB has created a unique product range, Xinix FreeBact®, which utilizes Chlorine Dioxide to disinfect both water and surfaces. Unlike traditional disinfectants—chlorine for water and alcohol for surfaces—Chlorine Dioxide leaves no harmful by-products and is highly effective in health care settings. The innovative solution offers a valuable tool to UK hospitals, helping ensure patient safety by addressing both waterborne pathogens and surface contamination risks.
Water and Surface Safety in UK Hospitals: A Critical Concern
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK cares for millions of patients annually and ensuring the cleanliness of water and surfaces in hospitals is critical to infection prevention. Waterborne pathogens such as Legionella, pseudomonas, and norovirus pose serious risks, as do contaminated surfaces in areas like washrooms, food preparation areas, floors, and common areas. Contaminated water and surfaces can facilitate the spread of infections, especially among vulnerable patients.
The recent EAWAG report underscores the growing global water crisis, bringing to light the importance of safe surface hygiene in hospitals. In health care environments, water must be safe for drinking, sterilizing equipment, and cleaning, while surfaces must be properly disinfected to prevent cross-contamination. Patients with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and post-surgery individuals are particularly at risk of infections from unclean water or improperly sanitized surfaces.
In this context, Xinix FreeBact®, developed by Xinix Global AB, provides a comprehensive solution for both water and surface disinfection. By utilizing Chlorine Dioxide, the product ensures that hospital water and surfaces remain pathogen-free without the dangerous by-products associated with conventional disinfectants.
The Limitations of Traditional Disinfection: Chlorine and Alcohol’s Risks
Chlorine has long been the go-to disinfectant for water, while alcohol has been widely used for surface cleaning. However, both come with significant downsides, particularly in health care settings. When chlorine interacts with organic matter, it forms harmful by-products like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which have been linked to an increased cancer risk after long-term exposure. This is a major concern in hospitals, where patients may already be vulnerable.
Similarly, while alcohol is effective as a surface disinfectant, its rapid evaporation can limit contact time with pathogens, reducing its effectiveness. Alcohol-based disinfectants can also cause skin irritation and dryness, especially for hospital staff who frequently disinfect surfaces.
This is where FreeBact®’s Chlorine Dioxide offers a significant improvement. It provides powerful disinfection without producing toxic by-products and works effectively across both water systems and various hospital surfaces.
The Benefits of Chlorine Dioxide for Water and Surface Hygiene
Chlorine Dioxide, the active ingredient in FreeBact®, presents several advantages over traditional disinfectants, especially in health care settings where both water and surface cleanliness are critical:
- No Harmful By-Products: Unlike chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide does not produce toxic by-products such as THMs or HAAs. It breaks down into harmless substances, leaving behind only a small amount of salt in treated water and none on disinfected surfaces, making it safer for long-term use in hospitals.
- Broad-Spectrum Effectiveness: Chlorine Dioxide is highly effective against a wide range of pathogens, including ALL bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This makes it ideal for disinfecting hospital floors, washrooms, food preparation areas, and other high-contact zones. It is also particularly effective against waterborne pathogens like Legionella and pseudomonas, which can thrive in hospital water systems.
- Odorless and Tasteless: Unlike chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide is virtually odorless and tasteless. This enhances the experience for patients and ensures food preparation areas remain free of unpleasant chemical residues.
- Safe for Multiple Surfaces: FreeBact® can be used on various hospital surfaces, from floors to food preparation areas and washrooms. Its versatility ensures that high-risk zones are thoroughly disinfected, reducing the potential for cross-contamination and minimizing the spread of infections.
A recent report by the Swiss organization EAWAG revealed a stark new reality: 4.4 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water, a significant jump from the previously estimated 1.8-2 billion.
Enhancing Hospital Hygiene and Sustainability
By adopting FreeBact® and its Chlorine Dioxide technology, UK hospitals can significantly reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. This innovative solution offers a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine and alcohol-based methods. Importantly, FreeBact® aligns with the NHS’s sustainability goals, as Chlorine Dioxide breaks down into harmless substances, leaving minimal environmental impact.
Conclusion
Water and surface hygiene are critical for ensuring patient safety in UK hospitals, especially in the context of hospital-acquired infections. With the global water crisis now affecting 4.4 billion people, as highlighted by EAWAG, innovative solutions like FreeBact® from Xinix Global AB provide an essential safeguard. By utilizing Chlorine Dioxide technology, FreeBact® offers a safer, more effective way to disinfect both water systems and hospital surfaces, helping maintain high hygiene standards while minimizing harmful by-products.
Through the comprehensive application of Xinix FreeBact® in water treatment, surface cleaning, and air system disinfection, UK hospitals can significantly improve their infection control measures and protect the health of their patients and staff.
References:
www.xinix.se
www.eawag.ch/en/info/portal/news/news-detail/four-billion-people-estimated-to-lack-safe-drinking-water-services
Authors:
Peter Holmberg
CEO – Xinix Global AB
Alexandra Németh
CMO – Xinix Global AB