About Phoraid

History of Phoraid

Phoraid Disinfectant and Phoraid Antiseptic were developed in response to an urgent demand from emergency services in the United Kingdom, on the discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infections (AIDS) and a growing Health and Safety awareness of communicable diseases such as Hepatitis B. They are among the most effective agents known with powerful and rapid activity against these and a wide range of other organisms.

In the mid 1980’s, at the time of the UK prison officer’s go slow strike, a leading police authority in the United Kingdom commissioned Smyth-Morris Chemicals to develop a product that could be used to disinfect cells in local police stations that were being used to accommodate prisoners whom could not be sent to the main prisons. Furthermore, the authority needed to protect their officers in areas which could be contaminated by infected blood and other body fluids, at scenes of accidents and violent arrests.

After development by Smyth-Morris, Phoraid was tested or approved by the John Radcliffe Hospital, Virology Laboratory, Oxford, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, The University of Manchester Department of Bacteriology & Virology, The British Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Veterinary Laboratory.

It became so successful with the Emergency Services, being used at such high profile disasters as Lockerbie and Manchester Airport, that it was decided to extend testing and approval to worldwide standards in order to make it acceptable on the world market in hospitals, research laboratories, dental clinics, schools and veterinary practices.

Following this, the product has now obtained, amongst others, Canadian D.I.N. approval (as Phorguard), has been tested to meet the standard of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Approval as a Hospital Grade Disinfectant (“option B”), and been approved by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

Today, Phoraid products are used extensively by the emergency services, hospitals, dental and veterinary practices as well as the food, retail, leisure and farming industries.

Click here for more extensive examples of Phoraid's applications.

Properties of Phoraid

Phoraid products are idophors releasing iodine, a powerful germicide, in a highly effective and convenient way. Iodine is generally considered to be four times more active than chlorine. (US Public Health Service, Food and Sanitation Manual 1962). Iodine is faster acting than hypochlorites, quaternary ammonium compounds and phenols.

Phoraid is biodegradable, free rinsing, non-fuming and non-corrosive. It will not harm the skin, burn or intoxicate and may be used with safety on coloured fabrics and in enclosed spaces. Iodine is one of the oldest and most effective disinfectants used by man, but is unusual in that it sublimes, or moves from a solid to a gas without the liquid stage and therefore is unstable.

To overcome this, ‘Idoplex’ was developed for Phoraid. This carefully chosen non-aqueous iodine complex is both water and oil soluble and the Hydrophylic /Lipothylic Balance (HLB), was carefully calculated to give those benefits.

Click here for detailed information on Phoraid's technical specifications.

Reasons for using Phoraid products

Efficient and Effective
Phoraid is relatively more effective than other agents at low temperatures, where others will suffer a reduction in their bactericidal activity. It is most efficient below 40°C and remains bactericidal at low concentrations. Phoraid shows no decrease in microbiocidal activity in the presence of hard water.

Easy to use
Phoraid’s colour acts as an indicator allowing the operator to know the area disinfected - the colour is transient. Phoraid products are biodegradable and cost effective when used at correct dilution rates. They offer good stability in storage (24 months if stored correctly - away from heat and direct sunlight and provided containers are sealed when not in use) and are non-flammable. It is available in a range of packages including Phoraid impregnated all purpose wipes, trigger sprays and bulk containers, it requires no mixing and is effective in seconds.

Environmentally friendly
Phoraid products will not give off fumes when they deliberately or inadvertently come into contact with other chemicals. They are free rinsing and do not permanently stain textiles, skin or most hard surfaces if used at the correct dilutions, and any yellowing from long term use on recycled plastics can be removed immediately with Phoraid Colour Eradictor. Phoraid products contain no bleaching agents and will not damage or discolour fabrics when used for decontamination of uniforms etc.

Earlier cleaning or disinfectant products had either limited viricidal or bactericidal activity or else were dangerous to use. The development of Phoraid products heralded a safer, biodegradable solution which will not cause harm to the skin, corrode or intoxicate. Such is the degree of safety, that if by chance the product is splashed in the eyes or ingested, it should produce nothing more than a mild irritation which can be relieved by rinsing with water.

Phoraid general disinfectant and antiseptic now provide an alternative, safer level of protection.

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