Executive Summary
RSC Bio Solutions are here to help your business continue critical operations safely and resume “new normal” operations as quickly as permitted. As a leader in green tech, we engineer solutions that perform to highest standards with minimal health, safety and environmental impact. To combat pathogens that have disrupted lives, communities and economies, we began to offer a unique technology that disrupts cell membranes of envelope type viruses when applied to surfaces over the course of four (4) minutes. (COVID – SARS – 2 is an envelope type virus that causes COVID-19.) This overview summarizes what sets Bioesque Disinfectant Solutions apart from other disinfectants – its regulatory compliance, efficacy, safety and broad array of approved uses – and how these benefits translate to reduced operating costs and more uptime for assets – regardless of your industry.
Technology Overview
Bioesque® Disinfecting Solution (“Bioesque”) is a unique biobased surfactant derived from a botanical source – the active biocidal ingredient in Bioesque is thymol, an extract from the common thyme plant. The combination of thymol and surfactant solution results in a very effective disinfectant with low hazard during and after use. Residues after surface treatment are minimal and not harmful. Bioesque is critical to making surfaces safer after cleaning.
Bioesque is a disinfectant product designed to kill pathogenic (harmful) bacteria, viruses and molds. Bioesque is a US EPA registered disinfectant containing thymol as the active ingredient. Thymol kills the pathogens disrupting the cell wall of the microorganism. The other solution ingredients deliver the active ingredient onto the surface to be treated. Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is a white crystalline substance that gives thyme its strong flavor and pleasant aromatic odor. Application of Bioesque to surfaces coats the bacteria, viruses and molds with thymol which disrupts the biomembranes around the organisms, effectively killing a variety of microorganisms within 30 seconds to four minutes.
Regulatory Compliance
Any product sold to kill, control, or prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, molds, or fungi are considered pesticides and are regulated in most countries. In the USA, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) provides for federal regulation of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States must be registered (licensed) by EPA in accordance with FIFRA. That’s why insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, pesticides, biocides and disinfectants all bear a US EPA registration number on their label.
Products are extensively tested by their manufacturers and this data is scrutinized by the US EPA before issuance of a registration number. Both the effectiveness of the product and the safety to humans, animals and the environment are considered during this EPA review process. Only after the issuance of an EPA registration number can the product be sold in the USA and disinfection claims made. Bioesque is effective against a wide range of pathogenic organisms including bacteria and viruses. The US EPA has recognized Bioesque against norovirus as well as emerging viral pathogens of the type that cause COVID-19. The US EPA registration number for Bioesque Disinfecting Solution is 87742-1-92595.
The Bioesque product (also known as Thymox) is listed by Center for Biocide Chemistry as referenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as effective against viruses such as the one that cause COVID-19 by both CBC and CDC.
In the European Union and Canada, similar registration processes exist. In Canada, the registration number for Bioesque Disinfectant Solution is DIN 02486857. Within the European Union (EU) pesticides (active ingredients and finished products) are regulated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Registered products appear on the Article 95 List administered and published by ECHA in accordance with Article 95(1) of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). In the European Union, the active ingredient thymol is not currently registered as a biocide by ECHA or listed on the Article 95 List. Exemptions can be granted on a country-by-country basis. Each importer within the EU needs to apply to the particular country into which the product is to be imported for an exemption that allows for sale of a currently unregistered product:
Additional links pertaining to expedited approvals within European Union can be viewed here.
An Article 95 List of approved biocidal substances and products can be viewed here.
Bioesque has been evaluated by NSF International (NSF) and has been registered by NSF as a Category D2 Antimicrobial Product that does not require a rinse following application to surfaces. This product is suitable for use in food processing areas in accordance with the requirements set forth in the original NSF registration letter:
This product is acceptable for use as a sanitizer on all surfaces not always requiring a rinse (D2) in and around food processing areas. Before using this compound, food products and packaging materials must be removed from the room or carefully protected. A potable water rinse is not required following the use of this compound on previously cleaned hard surfaces provided that the surfaces are adequately drained before contact with food so that little or no residue remains which can adulterate or have a deleterious effect on edible products. A potable water rinse is required following use of this compound under conditions other than those stated above. The compound must always be used according to applicable label directions.
Benefits
Efficacy: Bioesque is highly effective against a broad range of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and molds. Disinfection kill times are quick – ranging from 30 seconds to 4 minutes for the more difficult to kill viruses such as Norovirus and the virus causing COVID-19. The inert carrier in Bioesque is water. This makes the effectiveness of Bioesque comparable to or better than other disinfectants such as alcohol that evaporate too rapidly – before complete disinfection can occur. Active ingredients are often inactive once dry, so keeping the surface wet for long enough to kill organisms is a benefit to water-based disinfectants such as Bioesque. The Bioesque label contains clear instructions on product use.
Safe for Users: The active ingredient in Bioesque, thymol, is a natural monoterpenoid phenol, found in oil of thyme, and extracted from Thymus vulgaris (common thyme). Thymol is low in toxicity to humans, animals, and the environment. The only personal protective equipment needed to apply Bioesque is due to protection needed to avoid exposure to pathogenic bacteria and viruses within the treatment area, not due to the Bioesque product itself.
Bioesque is approved as a category D2 Antimicrobial by the NSF (NSF registration number 157263) and no rinsing is required after use, so it is ideally suited for use in restaurants, grocery stores, and food processing facilities where food is prepared or stored. Bioesque is also readily biodegradable, posing no immediate or long-term risk to humans or the environment. It is not regulated as dangerous goods by either US DOT or IATA for shipping purposes. No chemicals in Bioesque are subject to the reporting requirement of California Proposition 65 (list of chemicals which cause cancer or reproductive harm). Bioesque is classified by the US EPA as Category IV which means that no signal words, no precautionary statements, and no first aid statements are required on the label.
This is in contrast to other products such as bleaches (hypochlorite or peroxide based) that can cause short- and longer-term negative health effects. Many bleaches are caustic (high pH) and will cause extreme burns on skin or blindness when splashed into the eyes.
In comparison, Bioesque is a mild solution of neutral pH with no eye or skin hazards. Hypochlorite bleaches kill organisms by releasing chlorine gas which poses a serious potential inhalation hazard for the user. In addition, hypochlorite bleaches are unsafe to mix with other cleaners and can produce toxic vapors when mixed improperly. Long term exposure has been known to cause lung irritation which can lead to chemical pneumonia. No such dangers exist with the use of Bioesque.
Bioesque is also mild enough for skin contact in contrast to products manufactured with quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), commonly known as “quats”. Examples of quaternary ammonium compounds include benzalkonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, and Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. Quats have long been known for their eye, lung, and skin irritancy hazards. Quats can be harmful if swallowed, cause eye and skin burns, and are harmful if inhaled. Quats are very toxic to aquatic life. This latter point is particularly important when disposing of unused disinfectant down drains and thereby into the municipal water treatment systems. No such dangers exist with Bioesque. In the United States, quats are often used in cleaners with no disinfectant claims, while in the European Union, quats are considered hazardous pesticides and are heavily regulated. This is due, in part, to concerns that quat overuse may lead to development of resistant bacteria or “superbugs” as they are commonly referred to in the media.
Safer on Surfaces: Bioesque has no known negative effects on hard or porous surfaces. US EPA has approved Bioesque for disinfection of hard, non-porous surfaces such as metal, rubber, painted or varnished surfaces, glazed ceramic, glazed porcelain, glazed tile and glazed enameled surfaces, glass, sealed or varnished wood, sealed marble, steel, stainless steel, chrome, brass, aluminum, sealed concrete, sealed fiberglass and many plastics including polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and PVC. It has been tested and approved by Boeing for use on hard and soft surfaces aboard aircraft for this reason. It is currently being used by automotive OEMs as well.
Bioesque is also approved by the EPA for sanitization of soft surfaces including home textiles, upholstery, mattresses, bedding, apparel fabrics, fabric sided luggage, and rugs. This is in contrast to other products such as bleaches (hypochlorite or peroxide based) that will easily damage many finished surfaces and fabrics resulting in premature replacement of the surfaces or fixtures.
Broad Range of Applications and Industries: The EPA approved uses for Bioesque Disinfection Solution include a wide variety of industries – industrial manufacturing and distribution, public transportation, healthcare, childcare, food service and retail food outlets, lodging and residential applications.
Specific Applications Include:
- Automotive
- Public Transportation
- Institutional Facilities
- Correctional Facilities
- Military Installations
- Offices
- Athletic Facilities
- Multi-Family Housing
- Residential Housing
- Commercial Real Estate
- Common Areas
- Public Restrooms
- Hotels and Motels
- Retail Stores
- Schools
- Day Care Centers
- Colleges & Dorms
- Classrooms
- Nurseries
- Churches
- Hospitals
- Aging Care Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Ambulances
- Surgery Centers
- Airports
- Cruise Ships
- Institutional Kitchens
- Food Processing Plants
- Restaurants
- Cafeterias
- Clinics
- Health Care Facilities
- Medical and Dental Offices
- Veterinary Premises
- Farms
- Crawl Spaces
- Attics
- Basements
- Tanning Salons
- Barber Shops
- Public Buildings
Conclusions & Recommendations
While Bioesque is hard on pathogens, it is much safer for users and the surfaces in need of regular or frequent disinfection. This has many financial benefits to your business because operations are not disrupted for frequent (daily) disinfection in office and other working environments like retail, warehousing, distribution, manufacturing and construction sites. There is little to no loss in productivity when using a powerful, yet safer disinfectant like Bioesque Disinfectant Solution. Since the product can be handled and used safely by employees, no special remediation service providers are required and there is no need to suspend operations to disinfect or pay high remediation rates for night and weekend hours. RSC Bio Solutions are here to help your business continue critical operations safely and resume new normal operations as quickly as permitted.
Related Products:
- Biosesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution, Learn More