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Hydroxyl radicals are well known as a sanitizing agent, second only to fluorine in sanitizing strength.  Table 1 provides relative sanitizing strengths of various substances compared with chlorine. 

In the early 1970s', Leeds University, in Great Britain, embarked on a program that asked the question, "What do hydroxyl radicals do?" A University study found that, the activity of atmospheric hydroxyls was responsible for neutralizing some 2500 atmospheric chemicals by way of some 7000 reactions.  For this reason, hydroxyl radicals found in the atmosphere have been called “nature’s detergent” or “Mother Nature’s broom”.

Hydroxyl radicals also attack the porous cell walls of bacteria and viruses which destroys them through the process known as cell lysing.  Human, animal and plant cells are “designed” to be in the sunlight and have cell walls that are less porous and are not harmed by atmospheric hydroxyl radicals.

The challenge was how to produce or generate sufficient quantities of hydroxyl radicals so they could be applied to solve a range of issues.  HGI Industries developed a process and commercialized synthetically produced hydroxyl radicals.

The HGI process proved successful and therefore American and Canadian patents were filed. This technology has been successful across a variety of industries. 

HGI Industries ODOROX® Hydroxyl Generators produce only atmospheric hydroxyls.  The other three of these are not produced by our technology.  Below we will discuss each of the four places where hydroxyl radicals are found.

Click here for an ODOROX® Hydroxyl Radical Generator Brochure

Applications for hydroxyl radical treatment include odor control, sanitation and mold remediating.  Some of the specific industries that have deployed hydroxyl radical technology include:

• NASA Space Program
• Facility HVAC; odor, mold/mildew and bacteria/virus control
• Food & Beverage; sanitation and odor control
• Wastewater Treatment; odor control, corrosion control
• Restoration; odor, mold, bacteria, virus control
• Hospitals & Clinics; bacteria and virus control
• Hog and Poultry; bacteria/virus and odor control
• Banks; bacteria/virus control during currency counting
• Nail Salons; elimination of VOCs from nail polish/remover
• Pool Supply Stores; corrosion and odor control

Click here for a brochure on
restoration applications of hydroxyl generators

• Food & Beverage
• Restoration
• Agricultural
• Office Buildings
• Wastewater Lift Stations
• VOC Odor Elimination
• Hospitals
• Classrooms
• Dorm Rooms
• Laboratories