What is fogging?

Because the fogging process and residue cleaning process exposes workers to hazardous substances, occupational safety and health laws require the technician is properly evaluated and trained, is provided (and utilizes properly) all engineering controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including but not limited to air supplied respirators and full-body protective gear, and other mandates. 

What agents are used during fogging? 

The agents used in the fogging process vary by remediation company and technician. Here is a short list of some of the agents that I’ve seen used during remediation: 

• Biospray D uses Isopropyl Alcohol at 55 – 75% concentration.
• Mediclean Disinfectant Spray also uses Isopropyl Alcohol but at 10% concentration.
• Viraclean uses Ethanol at 10% concentration.
• Steramist uses Hydrogen Peroxide and Inert Ingredients at 13% concentration. 
• Odox-DF uses Propane – 1,2 Diol at 60 – 80% concentration with a 5 – 10% concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide

The risk potential to exposed persons, pets, and plants varies based on several factors, including but not limited to: 

1. the fogging agent(s) used, 
2. the concentration of the fogging agent(s) used, 
3. the dose exposure, 
4. how one is exposed to the agent(s),
5. and one’s biological disposition in relation to: 

• the agent(s),
• dose exposure, and
• other factors. 

An example may include an average sized and healthy adult exposed to hydrogen peroxide. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: 

"Hydrogen peroxide can be toxic if ingested, inhaled, or by contact with the skin or eyes. Inhalation of household strength hydrogen peroxide (3%) can cause respiratory irritation. Exposure to household strength hydrogen peroxide can cause mild ocular irritation. Inhalation of vapors from concentrated (higher than 10%) solutions may result in severe pulmonary irritation." (source)

“Hydrogen peroxide is corrosive to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes at high concentrations (>10%); lower concentrations may cause irritation. Symptoms become more severe as the concentration of hydrogen peroxide increases.” (source)

Important consideration before moving forward: 

Whenever a product or device’s environmental stressor(s) is being utilized in an occupied space, it’s important to understand the potential risk(s) associated with the stressor(s), understanding that such determinations (by manufacturers as listed in sales documentation or Safety Data Sheets) don’t determine post-application potentials to cause unnatural air and environmental qualities and don’t determine risk potential to people, pets, and plants. I’ll give you a brief explanation of why: 

“Hazard determination does not involve an estimation of risk. The difference between the terms hazard and risk is often poorly understood. Hazard refers to an inherent property of a substance that is capable of causing an adverse effect. Risk, on the other hand, refers to the probability that an adverse effect will occur with specific exposure conditions.” (OSHA, GUIDANCE FOR HAZARD DETERMINATION FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1200)) 

Unfortunately, most employers and their employees solely rely on the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and sales documentations that the manufacturer provides them with and translate their information into risk potential for employees and their clients. (To be fair, I’ve listened to salespersons who do the same.) Other employers ask for additional information (e.g., a research document) from the manufacturer’s salespeople and base their decisions on those documents. In a future blog (or blogs, we’ll see how this goes), I’ll cover one such research document to give you an example of (1) what is being provided, (2) what the information is saying, (3) and discuss what it means to all materially interested parties. In the meantime, if you have a question, please feel free to contact me directly at jason@gulfcoastiaq.com. If you’re dealing with a remediation, restoration, or IAQ need, contact Gulf Coast Center for Indoor Air Quality Services and let’s discuss how we can best serve you.