Pure Hypochlorous Acid ("PHA" or "HOCl") is a product of the natural oxidative burst pathway, which kills microorganisms. As such, PHA demonstrates rapid antimicrobial activity against many microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores. Due to its small molecular size, PHA penetrates microbial walls, altering membrane permeability and causing rupture. In this way, it has been shown to rapidly and selectively inhibit bacterial cell division. Importantly, PHA has no cellular toxicity when used in clinically effective dosages due to its high oxidation-reduction potential. Sodium hypochlorite, the antimicrobial preservative in bleach and Dakin solution, is associated with higher toxicity due to its lower oxidation-reduction potential. One molecule of hypochlorous acid is a more effective preservative than a single hypochlorite anion, and PHA has more potent microbicidal effects than sodium hypochlorite-based cleansers." Therefore, the therapeutic index for PHA is much higher than that of both sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide."

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