Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide
Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (often stylized as ionized Hydrogen Peroxide or iHP[1]; formerly known as Activated Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide or aIHP) is a hydrogen peroxide-based antimicrobial consisting of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) created via cold plasma ionization. iHP may be applied in open areas and within enclosures, with spray and fog applications available.
Ionization Process
Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide is generated through the simulation of naturally occurring atmospheric oxidation to create hydroxyl radicals via the use of a controlled cold plasma arc.[2] Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide generators use an aqueous solution of 7.8% hydrogen peroxide as a sole active ingredient, dispersing a fine, dry mist of particles ranging from sub-micron sizes to 3 µm.[3] The hydrogen peroxide mist travels through a cold plasma arc, breaking the bonds of the hydrogen peroxide particles to create Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
The oxidizing nature of iHP mist disrupts bacteria, spores, fungi, and mold immediately upon contact by breaking down critical cellular components, such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Additionally, a secondary effect of ionization is the deodorization of treated areas, with the elimination of odorous airborne particles. Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide decomposition yields only oxygen and humidity.[4]
Application Methods
The production of hydroxyl radicals via ionization allows for flexibility in the application of ionized Hydrogen Peroxide, enabling both the treatment of surfaces via a spraying technique or the decontamination of air via fogging.
While standard application may be deployed within open areas, adoption into enclosed spaces leverage intelligent automation and customized hardware configurations to accommodate enclosure function, volume, and restrictions.
Validation for iHP treatments may be achieved by either chemical indication or biological indication, with the latter using Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus Tyvek and non-Tyvek strips as standard performance metrics.[5]
History & Registrations
Binary Ionization Technology (BIT), the proprietary technology enabling ionized hydrogen peroxide, was developed and funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a direct response to the 2001 anthrax attacks within the United States. Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide was ultimately successful at the decontamination of anthrax spores, offering a promising alternative to existing, more abrasive, and highly concentrated sterilizing agents.[6]
In 2008, Binary Ionization Technology was registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a pesticide, becoming the first combination of solution and technology to do so.[7] By 2015, BIT had been registered once more as simply BIT Solution, with a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 7.8% and designation as a hospital-healthcare disinfectant.
EPA registration was followed by registration by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a disinfectant and device, as well as establishment within the Health Canada Drug Product Database in 2017.[8][9]
Since its initial EPA registration, ionized Hydrogen Peroxide has been added to a multitude of EPA efficacy lists, including lists G (Norovirus), H (MRSA), K (Clostridioides difficile), L (Ebola), M (Influenza A), and N (SARS-CoV-2).
Today, the trademark for Binary Ionization Technology and ionized Hydrogen Peroxide is exclusively owned by TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc., the sole manufacturer of both BIT Solution and SteraMist iHP products.
Testing & Performance
Initial testing of 7.8% hydrogen peroxide solution against a variety of common aerospace materials confirmed negligible reductions in mass despite full submersion into the aqueous solution.[6] Further subsequent testing utilized the standard hydrogen peroxide solution in tandem with cold plasma ionization to ensure consistent results over multiple applications.
After obtaining EPA registration, testing by multiple independent laboratories analyzed the successful efficacy of ionized hydrogen peroxide particles on various microbes. Further testing focused on efforts to ease the growing burden of dwindling healthcare mask supplies during the coronavirus pandemic. An independent paper sponsored by Harvard Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute observed the effects of ionized hydrogen peroxide on N95 masks when applied for continued reuse. Results were promising, with the paper noting the ability to decontaminate up to 7,200 masks per day, completely sterilizing bacterial spores (9-log10) without negatively affecting filtration retention or fit integrity.[10]
References
- ↑ "iHP Cold Plasma Technology". TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. Retrieved August 2025.
- ↑ Song, Y.; Fan, X. (May 2020). "Cold plasma enhances the efficacy of aerosolized hydrogen peroxide in reducing populations of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria innocua on grape tomatoes, apples, cantaloupe and romaine lettuce". Food Microbiology. Elsevier. 87. doi:10.1016/j.fm.2019.103391. PMID 31948632. Unknown parameter
|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Jiang, Y; Sokorai, K; Pyrgiotakis, G; Demokritou, P; Li, X; Mukhopadhyay, S; Jin, T; Fan, X (2017). "Cold plasma-activated hydrogen peroxide aerosol inactivates Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria innocua and maintains quality of grape tomato, spinach and cantaloupe". International Journal of Food Microbiology. Elsevier B.V. 249 (10): 53–60. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.03.004. PMID 28319798. Retrieved August 2025.
- ↑ Song, Y; Fan, X (2021). "Hydrogen Peroxide Residue on Tomato, Apple, Cantaloupe, and Romaine Lettuce after Treatments with Cold Plasma–Activated Hydrogen Peroxide Aerosols". Journal of Food Protection. Elsevier, Inc. 84 (8): 1304–8. doi:10.4315/JFP-21-051. PMID 33793766 Check
|pmid=value (help). Retrieved August 2025. - ↑ Grimaldo, M; Bouyer, D; de Siquera, CLM (2020). "Determining the Effectiveness of Decontamination with Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide". Appl Biosaf. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 25 (3): 134–141. doi:10.1177/1535676020935405. PMC 9134624 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 36035760 Check|pmid=value (help). Retrieved September 2008. - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Stuhmiller, J; Montulli, L; Diniz, S; Sias, R (February 2004). Binary Ionization Technology Air Purification Module Analysis (Report). Titan Corporation & DARPA. p. 119.
- ↑ United States Environmental Protection Agency (May 7, 2008). Notice of Pesticide Registration: Ionization Technology Hydrogen Peroxide 7.5% Ready-To-Use (EPA Reg. Number 83046-1) (PDF) (Report). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved August 28, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ United States Food and Drug Administration (August 28, 2025). "510(k) Premarket Notification Database: Device Listing (ID 475656)". United States Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ↑ Health Canada (August 28, 2025). "Drug Product Database Search Page". Health Canada. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ↑ Liu, Y; Li, R; Xu, X; Zhang, Y; Li, S (February 4, 2021). "Rapid and effective inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in decontamination of N95 respirators". Nature Scientific Reports. Nature Portfolio. 11 (1): 3015. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81365-7. PMC 7862232 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 33542362 Check|pmid=value (help).
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