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Analysis of Active Substance Peracetic Acid: Efficacy and Safety Assessment

Peracetic Acid Effects in Biocidal Products, Usage Areas...

Analysis of Active Substance Peracetic Acid: Efficacy and Safety Assessment

What is Peracetic Acid (PAA)?

Peracetic acid is a compound known as a mixture of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). This chemical is a powerful oxidant used for disinfection and sterilization purposes. Peracetic acid provides disinfection with a concentration of <1% in a contact time of approximately 20 minutes in hospital environments. In sterilization processes, it can be performed at 2% concentration with a contact time of 12 minutes.

The important point in disinfection and sterilization processes is the corrosive effect of peracetic acid on metals. In order to remove the corrosive effect, it can be used by diluting approximately 0.2%.


What is the Mechanism of Action?

Peracetic acid effectively kills microorganisms by breaking down their cell walls and oxidizing proteins and enzymes inside the cell. Its oxidative mechanism kills microorganisms by breaking down their cell membranes and DNA.


Use of Peracetic Acid in Biocidal Products

  • As Active Ingredient: Peracetic acid is used in disinfectant, sterilizing and algicide formulations of biocidal products.
  • Application Areas: Peracetic acid is widely used in healthcare, food processing plants, water treatment, industrial disinfecting processes and water purification plants.


Peracetic Acid Efficacy Evaluation

  • Virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal action: Peracetic acid is known as an effective disinfectant on a wide range of viruses, bacteria and fungi. The use of peracetic acid in biocidal products has a high capacity to inactivate microorganisms.
  • Degree of contamination: Peracetic acid provides effective disinfection even at low concentrations. The frequency of application and the concentration of the solution directly affect its effectiveness.

The product types in which peracetic acid can be used are specified as follows in Annex A - List of Substances with Identified Product Type within the scope of the “Biocidal Products Regulation”.

  • Product Type 1: Human hygiene
  • Product Type 2: Disinfectants and algicides not intended for direct application to humans or animals
  • Product Type 3: Animal hygiene
  • Product Type 4: Food and feed area
  • Product type 5: Drinking water
  • Product Type 6: Protect products during storage
  • Product Type 11: Protectors for liquid coolant and processing systems
  • Product Type 12: Slimicides

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Active Substance Analysis. We also provide services in Irritation Analysis.

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