The key to delivering a powerful sanitising agent is to form hypochlorous acid without elemental chlorine - this occurs at around neutral pH.
[citation needed] In that pH range, the disinfectant capability of the solution is more effective than regular sodium hypochlorite (household bleach).
[5] EOW solutions are sold under various brand names as a wound disinfectant including Hydrocyn aqua, Microcyn, and Microdacyn.
[citation needed] Although the field of electro-chemical activation (ECA) technology has existed for more than 40 years, companies producing such solutions have only recently approached the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking registration.
Recently, a number of companies that manufacture electrolytic devices have sought and received EPA registration as a disinfectant.