Safe Disinfectant Water Spray Kills Germs Without Harming Animals
- Authors
- Takanori Oikawa, Kana Akinaga, Megumi Yanagida, Wataru Yamazaki, Tomoko Sato, Yuki Mukoda, Koya Terada, Yuriko Fujii, Misako Higashiya, Shinji Yamasaki, Takahiro Adachi, Shinsuke Seki
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0341050
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Infectious Diseases
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Slightly acidic electrolyzed water effectively inactivated aerosolized E. coli and showed no adverse effects in long-term rat exposure studies.
Key Finding
Long-term exposure to aerosolized slightly acidic electrolyzed water killed bacteria effectively in rats without causing detectable harm to body weight, organ function, or tissue structure.
Summary
Researchers tested slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW)—a chemically treated water solution—as an airborne disinfectant in rats. The study found that SAEW effectively killed bacteria like E. coli when sprayed as a mist, and rats exposed to long-term aerosol treatment showed no harmful effects on weight, eating habits, organ function, or tissue health.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests SAEW may be a safe disinfectant for airborne pathogens, but the findings are limited to animal testing and do not directly demonstrate safety or benefits in humans. More research in human subjects would be needed before drawing conclusions about its use for health purposes.
Abstract (excerpt)
Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) has been shown to possess strong bactericidal and virucidal properties, making it a promising candidate for spatial disinfection. In this study, we rigorously evaluated the efficacy and safety of SAEW for aerosol disinfection under controlled conditions…