Sanitizers

The answer to this question very much depends on the type of sanitizer being considered. Precisely because the environments to be sanitized can be extremely diverse, both small and large sanitizers exist, and use different technologies for the delivery of the sanitizing solution. Comac, for example, offers a range of machines for sanitization which use pneumatic or hydraulic technology.

The operation of a sanitizer is very easy; by enabling the delivery of the liquid solution present in the tank, the machine begins to dispense this sanitizing solution in nebulized form. Nebulization is the reduction of a liquid into tiny particles that are referred to as droplets, and which, in accordance with the sanitizer being used, are of different sizes.

The main difference lies in the dimensions of the droplets which are created and in the distance that these can travel.

• Hydraulic sanitizers, also called pump sanitizers, are machines that are usually very compact, with a relatively small tank capacity. They are very useful because they enable the operator to move around easily in small environments; indeed, these are often battery-powered. There are also cable versions on the market, but these reduce agility.
  The spraying pressure of hydraulic sanitizers is lower than that of pneumatic sanitizers, and for this reason, the drops obtained are of slightly larger size. The result is that the treated area will remain slightly damp.
• Pneumatic sanitizers, also called automatic compressor sanitizers, are usually larger than pump models, and as such, enable the treatment of large areas. The tank for the detergent solution is large enough to enable these machines to work for much longer without having to constantly replenish the solution. They are usually cable powered, so there is no need to worry about battery life. Nevertheless, battery-powered versions also exist, and have the advantage of being able to move around everywhere, even in the absence of an electricity socket; however, they are slightly heavier and therefore less easy to maneuver.
  Thanks to the high spraying pressure, pneumatic sanitizers enable finer droplet sizes to be obtained than hydraulic versions, and as such, drying is faster. Furthermore, the high pressure allows the solution delivered to reach longer distances.

The first thing to consider before purchasing a sanitizer is the size of the area or environment to be treated, as well as the surface in question.

• Sanitization of floors. Usually, this applies to medium and large sized surfaces. In this case, the choice is between ride-on sanitizers or floor scrubbers equipped with kits for sanitization. The advantage of the former is that due to the fact that they are built exclusively for this specific application, these machines can sanitize very large areas in a practical, speedy manner. Meanwhile, floor scrubbers with sanitizing kits are more limited in terms of productivity but enable the floor to be scrubbed, dried and hygienized in a single passage.
• Sanitization of surfaces such as tables, shelves, chairs, etc. In this case, smaller sanitizers can be used, to allow them to be easily transported and combined with standard cleaning systems.

Indeed, it is worth remembering that in order to sanitize environments in an efficient manner, it is crucial to clean them thoroughly first.

Electrostatic hygienization is a technology that enables a surface to be coated in the hygienizing solution in a rapid, uniform manner.
Electrostatic technology has been implemented on several Comac sanitizers, specifically to make use of the principle of electrostatic induction.
Thanks to the electrostatic charge that delivers an electrical charge to the hygienizing solution, the molecules of the disinfectant solution repel each other and maintain a uniform distance, thus ensuring a homogeneous action. At the same time, they are attracted to the surface to be treated, guaranteeing uniform 360° coverage without missing any areas.

It is important to specify that although these terms are often used as synonyms, they actually indicate different types of operation:

• Cleaning: this consists of removing dirt by means of a mechanical or physical action. Beginning with a thorough clean is essential in order to render the subsequent hygienization or sanitization operations effective.
• Hygienization: this is the removal of dirt and the micro-organisms contained within it, and is performed in order to reduce the microbial load. Indeed, the purpose of hygienization is to render the environment more hygienic, and therefore clean it eliminating any harmful substances that could be present. The substances used in hygienization, such as sodium hypochlorite or bleach, are active against pathogens but are not considered to be disinfectants as they are not approved as such by the competent authorities of the EU member states, such as the Ministry of Health in Italy, which authorizes medical surgical products (PMC).
• Disinfection: this is a treatment that is designed to reduce the microbial load of environments, surfaces and materials. This procedure makes it possible to destroy or inactivate a significant but not absolute proportion of pathogenic agents. Disinfection is a treatment that is carried out using disinfectant products (biocides or medical and surgical devices) that must be approved by the competent authorities of the EU member states – Ministry of Health for Italy.
• Sanitization: this consists of a “set of procedures and operations” for cleaning and/or disinfection that also include maintaining a good quality environment (temperature, humidity and ventilation). As such, the term sanitization includes cleaning, hygienization and/or disinfection activities.