Germ-killing composition and method

Abstract

Germ-killing composition produced by contacting an acid material, preferably consisting of at least about 15% by weight of lactic acid, with sodium chlorite in aqueous media, the amount of acid being sufficient to lower the .[.PH.]. .Iadd.pH .Iaddend.of the aqueous media to less than about 7. Methods of disinfecting and sanitizing include application of either the germ killing composition, or reactants providing in situ production thereof, to a germ carrier including substrates of various kinds as well as an enclosed air space.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Process for .[.the production of a composition having germicidal properties.]. .Iadd.disinfecting a substrate .Iaddend.comprising contacting .Iadd.said substrate with a composition comprising .Iaddend.sodium chlorite with a substantially water soluble acid material selected from the group consisting of organic acids and mixtures thereof with inorganic acid, said acid material comprising at least about 15% by weight of lactic acid, .[.and.]. wherein said contacting is carried out in aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said acid to lower the .[.PH.]. .Iadd.pH .Iaddend.of said aqueous media to less than about 7. 
     
     
       2. Process according to claim 1 wherein said acid material consists solely of lactic acid. 
     
     
       3. Process according to claim 2 wherein said contacting is carried out in ultrasonic cleaner means. 
     
     
       4. Process for disinfecting and sterilizing which comprises contacting a germ carrier with at least a small but effective germ-killing amount of a germicidal composition obtained by reacting sodium chlorite with a .[.substantiaelly.]. .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.water soluble acid material selected from the group consisting of organic acid and mixtures thereof with inorganic acid, said acid material comprising at least about 15% by weight of lactic acid and wherein said contacting is carried out in aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said acid to lower the .[.PH.]. .Iadd.pH .Iaddend.of said aqueous media to less than about 7. 
     
     
       5. Process according to claim 4 wherein contacting said germ carrier is effected by dispensing said germicidal composition from pressurized, aerosol container means equipped with valve dispensing means. 
     
     
       6. Process according to claim 4 wherein said acid material consists solely of lactic acid. .[.7. Germicidal composition obtained in accordance with the process of claim 1..]. .[.8. Germicidal composition obtained in 
     
     
        accordance with the process of claim 2..]. 9. Process according to claim 1 
     
     
        wherein said contacting is carried out in ultrasonic cleaner means. 10. Process according to claim 4 wherein contacting said germ carrier is effected by dispensing said germicidal composition from ultrasonic spray 
     
     
        producing means. 11. Process for .[.the production of a composition having germicidal properties.]. .Iadd.disinfecting a substrate .Iaddend.comprising contacting .Iadd.said substrate with a composition comprising .Iaddend.sodium chlorite .[.with.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.lactic .[.and.]. in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the .[.PH.]. .Iadd.pH .Iaddend.of said aqueous media 
     
     
        to less than about 7. 12. Process for disinfecting and sterilizing which comprises contacting a germ carrier with at least a small but effective germ-killing amount of a germicidal composition obtained by reacting sodium chlorite with lactic acid in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the .[.PH.]. .Iadd.pH .Iaddend.of said aqueous media to less than about 7. .[.13. Germicidal composition obtained in accordance with the process of claim 11..]. 
     
     
        .Iadd. 4.  A process for disinfecting a substrate comprising contacting said substrate with a composition comprising a water-soluble chlorite with lactic acid in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the pH of said aqueous media to less than about 7. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A process for disinfecting a substrate comprising contacting said substrate with a composition comprising a ClO 2  liberating material with lactic acid in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the pH of said aqueous media to less than about 7. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A process for disinfecting and sterilizing which comprises contacting a germ carrier with at least a small but effective germ-killing amount of a germicidal composition obtained by reacting a water-soluble chlorite with lactic acid in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the pH of said aqueous media to less than about 7. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A process for disinfecting and sterilizing which comprises contacting a germ carrier with at least a small but effective germ-killing amount of a germicidal composition obtained by reacting a ClO 2  -liberating material with lactic acid in an aqueous media and in the presence of sufficient of said lactic acid to lower the pH of said aqueous media to less than about 7. .Iaddend.