Study touts improved hydrogen peroxide's success in fighting pathogens

Improved hydrogen peroxide did a better job of regular peroxide in killing harmful organism in less than a minute, according to a new study published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. The study examined efficacy against three of the most common pathogens found in healthcare settings: community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR A. baumannii). “Improved hydrogen peroxide is a new low-level disinfectant option that is low in toxicity, fast-acting and a suitable choice for regular use to help control the spread of pathogens on common hospital environmental surfaces,” said William A. Rutala, Ph.D., M.P.H., the study’s lead researcher. Clorox Professional is one manufacturer of hydrogen peroxide used in healthcare facilities.