WO2013090540A1

WO2013090540A1 - Biocide composition, device and method for dispensing a biocide composition

Info

Publication number: WO2013090540A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/069451
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Alan Aamodt; George KARGIANIS
Original assignee: CRYSTAL ENTERPRISES Inc
Current assignee: CRYSTAL ENTERPRISES Inc
Priority date: 2011-12-14
Filing date: 2012-12-13
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-14

Abstract

Devices allow for sanitation or disinfection by dispensing a dry fog biocide agent into an ambient environment. Devices include a pressurized container containing a biocide agent that includes a biocide and an electrochemically activated water. The described devices can be used in a method of delivering a biocide and electrochemically activated water to an environment and in a method for disinfecting a surface by contacting droplets of the biocide agent with the surface. An electrostatic charging assembly imparts an electrostatic charge to the biocide agent.

Description

BIOCIDE COMPOSITION, DEVICE AND METHOD

FOR DISPENSING A BIOCIDE COMPOSITION

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of biocide compositions and devices and methods for dispensing biocide compositions, for example, antimicrobial agents.

Description of the Related Art

In many instances it is useful to disinfect, sterilize or otherwise sanitize target environments, rooms, areas, surfaces or objects, and in some situations such may even be vitally important.

For example, it is typically important to sterilize, disinfect or otherwise sanitize environments and objects associated with medical treatment and diagnostic procedures, for instance medical procedures such as a surgery, child birth delivery, and physical examinations, or even diagnostic procedures such as medical imaging procedures.

Conventional devices for dispensing antimicrobial biocides include spray bottles that dispense large droplets of antimicrobial solutions onto surfaces and require the user to spread the antimicrobial by wiping it over the surface. Another conventional technique for sterilizing, disinfecting or otherwise sanitizing surfaces in rooms {e.g., floors, walls, counters, table tops) includes mopping the surfaces with a disinfectant solution.

Effective disinfection generally requires contact of an antimicrobial composition with the microbes on the contaminated surfaces. It is not unusual when dispensing an antimicrobial from a spray bottle and spreading it with a towel or other device that incomplete sanitization results because some portion of surfaces, e.g., corners where surfaces come together or small cracks or crevices in the surface, where microbes are present do not come in contact with the antimicrobial composition. In other situations, such as where disinfection of all surfaces in a room, such as a hotel bathroom is desired, applying

antimicrobials from a spray bottle is so time consuming it is not practical. While devices exist for delivering antimicrobial dry fogs for industrial applications, their size, complexity, and/or cost make them unattractive to everyday consumers looking for a simple and cost effective way to sterilize, disinfect, or otherwise sanitize an environment.

Sterilization, disinfection or sanitizing is becoming increasingly important as bacteria and viruses mutate and particularly as antibiotic or drug resistant strains of infectious organisms {e.g., Methicillin-Resistant

Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly denominated as MRSA) become ever more prevalent. With the increasing mobility of society, the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses as a result of ineffective sanitization of public

environments, areas, rooms and objects increases and therefore new and convenient approaches to sanitizing and disinfecting are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As an overview, various devices allow for sanitization or disinfection by dispensing a dry fog biocide agent into an ambient environment. Such devices may include a pressurized container containing a biocide or biocide solution, an electrochemically activated water, and a propellant.

Sanitization or disinfection may be useful in medical care environments, for instance hospitals, clinics, physician offices, urgent care facilities, imaging or radiological facilities. Sanitization or disinfection may also be useful in other environments, such as public or private facilities in which people gather, reside or are confined or in which consumable products such as food or beverages are prepared, processed, or packaged. Such environments may, for example include, sports arenas or stadiums, theaters, amusement parks, museums, exhibition halls, or convention centers. Such environments may, for example, also include conveyances such as trains, ships, airplanes, buses, trucks, and associated facilities such as terminals, stations, waiting areas or rooms, loading docks, or warehouses. Other environments where sanitization or disinfection may be useful may include, for example, apartment houses or blocks, public housing, dormitory rooms, hotel and motel rooms, barracks, or camp bunkhouses. Such environments may, for example include jails, prisons or other detention facilities. Such environments may also include kitchens, factories, and various food processing or packaging facilities.

Use of such devices may conveniently and thoroughly sterilize, disinfect or otherwise sanitize an entire environment, including all surfaces and objects in the environment, as well as ambient air in the environment. Surfaces may, for example, include floors, walls, counters, tables, and operating tables. Surfaces may also include surfaces that may not typically be sanitized on a regular basis such as drapes, blinds, furnishings, fixtures, beds, mattresses and bedding. Surfaces may also include surfaces that are difficult to sanitize due to restricted access, such as ceilings, undersides of counters, tables, furnishings, fixtures, beds, mattresses, and various other areas.

A device useful in dispensing a dry fog biocide agent into an environment for sanitization or disinfection of the environment may be summarized as including a pressurized container containing propellant and a biocide agent containing a biocide and electrochemically activated water. The device may also include a valve mechanism and nozzle to control dispensing of the biocide agent from the container and the formation of a dry fog biocide agent. The device may further include a feed tube in fluid communication with the biocide agent in the container and the valve mechanism.

A device of the type described in the previous paragraph includes an electrostatic charging assembly that is capable of imparting an electrostatic charge to the dry fog biocide agent. An example of an electrostatic charging assembly is a microelectrode located adjacent a nozzle of the dispensing device. The microelectrode electrically communicates with a battery which is carried on the container. In some embodiments, an insulating layer is provided on the container to electrically insulate the battery and electrically conductive lines needed to connect the microelectrode to the battery from the container. Examples of a biocide include insecticides and antimicrobial agents. Insecticides may be natural insecticides, for example extracts from plants. Antimicrobial agents may be for example, materials that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as prokaryotes including for example, bacteria and archaea and eukaryotes including for example, protists, fungi (including molds), and plants.

The electrochemicaNy activated water may be produced by the electrolysis of water containing dissolved sodium chloride. The

electrochemicaNy activated water may include sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, or combinations thereof.

Devices described herein may be used in a method of delivering a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water to an environment. A method of delivering a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water to an environment may include steps of opening a valve; passing a biocide agent including a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water through the valve to a nozzle; passing the biocide agent through the nozzle; and forming droplets of the biocide agent, wherein a portion of the droplets have a volume mean diameter (VMD) less than about 15 microns. In such methods, the biocide may be a natural insecticide or an antimicrobial agent and the electrochemicaNy activated water may include sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, or combinations thereof. When such methods are practiced with a device that includes an electrostatic charging assembly, the method further includes the step of imparting an electrostatic charge to the droplets of biocide.

A device in accordance with the subject matter described herein may be used in a method for disinfecting a surface by contacting the surface with a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water. The method may include the steps of forming droplets of a biocide agent that includes a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water, wherein a portion of the droplets have a VMD less than about 15 microns; and contacting the surface with the droplets. In these methods, the biocide may be an antimicrobial agent and the electrochemically activated water may include sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, or combinations thereof.

A device described herein may be used to form a biocide composition that may include an aerosol including liquid droplets having a VMD less than about 15 microns, wherein the liquid droplets comprise a biocide and electrochemically activated water. The biocide may be an antimicrobial agent or an insecticide, such as a natural insecticide. The electrochemically activated water may include sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite or combinations thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawing, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawing are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and they have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawing.

Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a device for dispensing a biocide and electrochemically activated water in accordance with

embodiments described herein with a portion cut-away to show elements within the device; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of a device for dispensing a biocide and electrochemically activated water in accordance with embodiments described herein with an electrostatic charging assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as "including, but not limited to."

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Unless the context makes clear otherwise, the terms sterilization, disinfection and sanitation, and variations thereof {e.g., sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing) are used interchangeably herein and in the claims. Unless the context makes clear otherwise, the term biocide refers to a biocide whether dry, in solution, or in gaseous form. Thus, dispensing a biocide may, for example include dispensing a dry form of the biocide to produce fine particles thereof, or may include dispensing a fluid form of a biocide, for example a biocide agent solution in which a quantity of a biocide is mixed in a quantity of fluid {e.g., electrochemically activated water).

Unless the context makes clear otherwise, the term electrochemically activated water refers to the product of electrolyzing water that contains dissolved sodium chloride. This product of electrolyzing water that contains dissolved sodium chloride is also known as electrolyzed water, electrolyzed oxidizing water and electro-activated water.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

The Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device for dispensing a biocide and electrochemically activated water. The device includes a container 100 in the form of an upright cylindrical container similar to containers used for conventional aerosol cans used to dispense materials such as air fresheners and paint. Container 100 includes a conventional valve mechanism 102. Valve mechanism 102 includes a valve housing 104 in which spring 106 is seated. One end of valve housing 104 is connected to feed tube 108. The opposite end of valve housing 104 receives a spring cup 1 10 that includes a lower end that seats itself within the coils of spring 106. The upper end of spring cup 1 10 contacts the underside of gasket 1 12 to form a fluid-tight seal. Seated within the upper end of spring cup 1 10 is the lower end of stem 1 14. In the

embodiment illustrated in the Figure 1 , the lower end of stem 1 14 includes a valve opening 1 16 through which fluid may flow when the seal between spring cup 1 10 and gasket 1 12 is opened. Valve opening 1 16 is formed between spring cup 1 10 and a portion of the lower end of stem 1 14. Stem 1 14 includes an internal conduit 1 18 having one end in fluid communication with valve opening 1 16. The upper end of fluid conduit 1 18 passes through actuator 126 and is in fluid communication with nozzle 120 formed in actuator 126.

Container 100 contains biocide agent 122. Biocide agent 122 partially fills container 100. The portion of container 100 that is not occupied by biocide agent 122 contains propellant gas 1 14. In operation, when actuator 126 is actuated, e.g., by pressing down on its top, the seal between gasket 1 12 and the upper end of spring cup 1 10 is broken and biocide agent 122 can flow through valve opening 1 16 through fluid conduit 1 18 and out nozzle 120.

Propellant gas 1 14 applies pressure to the upper surface of biocide agent 122, providing the driving force to propel biocide 122 agent through feed tube 108 and into fluid conduit 1 18.

In the embodiment illustrated in the Figure 1 , biocide agent 122 will exit nozzle 120 in a direction parallel to fluid conduit 1 18 which as illustrated in the Figure 1 would be a vertical direction. Although not illustrated, nozzle 120 may include a different structure which directs biocide agent 122 to be dispensed in a direction that is not vertical, e.g. a horizontal direction.

Though not shown, container 100 may include a mechanism for maintaining actuator 126 in a position that results in valve opening 1 16 remaining open so that biocide agent 122 can continuously flow through nozzle 120. While container 100 has been described with respect to a particular structure of valve mechanism 102, it should be understood that the

embodiments described herein are not limited to this specific valve mechanism design and other configurations of a valve mechanism may be utilized.

Container 100 includes propellant gas 1 14. Propellant gas 1 14 may be a gas that is conventionally used in aerosol cans, such as liquid petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, nonsoluble compressed gases such

compressed air or nitrogen, and soluble compressed gases such as carbon dioxide. Such types of propellant gases are conventional and well known. The particular propellant gas should be selected so as to avoid producing

undesirable interactions with the biocide agent 122 that could impair it effectiveness and/or it dispensing from the container.

The device described with reference to Figure 1 may be used to dispense a biocide agent that includes a biocide and electrochemically activated water or electrochemically activated water without a biocide.

Biocides are a chemical substance or microorganism that can deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful

microorganism by chemical or biological means. Biocides are commonly used in medicine, agriculture, forestry, and industry. Biocides include pesticides used to destroy or repel pests including insects, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, and microbes and antimicrobial agents used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganism such as prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Insecticides are a pesticide used against insects and may include natural insecticides, such as extracts obtained from plants. Examples of natural insecticides include those falling under Exemption 25(b) of the Federal

Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) of the United States of America. Examples of these natural insecticides include cedar oil, cinnamon, cinnamon oil, citric acid, citronella, citronella oil, cloves, clove oil, corn gluten meal, corn oil, cottonseed oil, garlic, garlic oil, geraniol, geranium oil, lemon grass oil, linseed oil, mint, mint oil, peppermint, peppermint oil, rosemary, rosemary oil, sesame, sesame oil, soybean oil, thyme, thyme oil, and white pepper.

An antimicrobial agent is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, such as prokaryotes including for example, bacteria and archaea and eukaryotes including for example, protists, fungi (including molds), and plants. Examples of antimicrobial agents include naturally occurring and synthetic disinfectants that are antimicrobial substances used on nonliving objects or outside the human body, for example chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils such as cinnamon oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, garlic, oregano oil, lavender oil, leleshwa oil, lemon oil, lemon thyme oil, mint oil, neem oil, nigella sativa oil, onion oil, peppermint oil, sandalwood oil, tea tree oil and thyme oil, and electrochemical ly activated water, or combinations thereof.

Electrochemically activated water, also known as electrolyzed oxidizing water, is produced by the electrolysis of water containing dissolved sodium chloride. Generally, the electrolysis of such salt-containing water produces a solution of sodium hypochlorite. Electrochemically activated water can be produced using know techniques to electrolyze the water in a reactor that allows the separation of cathodic and anodic solutions. During the electrolysis, hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions are produced at the cathode, leading to an alkaline solution that consists essentially of sodium hydroxide. At the anode, chloride ions are oxidized to elemental chlorine. Some of this produced chlorine can be allowed to combine with some of the hydroxide ions produced at the cathode to produce hypochlorous acid, a weak acid and an oxidizing agent. This "acidic electrochemically activated water" can be raised in pH by mixing in a desired amount of hydroxide ion solution from the cathode compartment, yielding a solution of sodium hypochlorite. Examples of electrochemically activated water of the type useful in the embodiments described herein include from about 100 ppm to 500 ppm of free available chlorine, although electrochemically activated water containing more or less free available chlorine may also be used in embodiments described herein.

Biocide agents that include a biocide and electrochemically activated water can vary in composition. The relative amounts of the biocide and electrochemically activated water may be selected so that the desired biocidal effect is achieved when the biocide agent is dispensed and comes in contact with the environment to be sanitized. Suitable amounts of biocides, especially biocides that are FIFRA exempt range from about 0.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt %.of the total solution of electrochemically activated water and biocide. It should be understood that the foregoing range is exemplary and that more or less biocide may be included in biocide agents of the type described herein.

A device for dispensing a biocide agent in the form of a mixture of biocide and electrochemically activated water or electrochemically activated water without a biocide in accordance with embodiments described herein may produce a dry fog that comprises a suspension of liquid droplets of the biocide agent having a VMD of about 15 microns or less. In other embodiments, the droplets of a suitable dry fog have a VMD of about 7 microns or less. The small size of the dry fog droplets allows them to access most areas and surfaces of an environment, even the smallest cracks and crevices in a surface. Dry fogs are desirable due to their ability to diffuse widely and cause minimal wetting of surfaces they come in contact with. In addition, dry fogs are advantageous for sanitizing or disinfecting a gas because the smaller droplets have a greater surface-to-volume ratio. Dry fogs can be produced by a suitable combination of pressure within container 100 and the size of the opening in nozzle 120. With liquid pressures of about 500-1 ,500 psi, nozzle openings of about 0.005 inches or less may produce dry fogs having VMDs less than about 15 microns.

Referring to Figure 2, in another aspect of the devices for dispensing a biocide and methods for delivering a biocide to an environment described herein, the devices include a biocide charging assembly 200 for imparting an electrostatic charge to biocide droplets and the methods include a step of imparting an electrostatic charge to biocide droplets. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the biocide charging assembly 200 includes elements to produce an electrostatic field downstream of nozzle 120. The charging assembly 200 includes an electrically conductive line 208 sandwiched between an inner insulating layer 204 and an outer insulating layer 206. Inner insulating layer 204 and outer insulating layer 206 can take many forms, including two distinct layers that are sealed to each other around conductive line 208 or a single sheath that surrounds conductive line 208. Inner insulating layer 204 and outer insulating layer 206 electrically isolate conductive line 208 from container 100. Insulating layers 204 and 206 along with conductive line 208 are carried on the surface of container 100 from a battery 210 carried on the sidewall of container 100 to the top of container 100. Near nozzle 120, one end of electrically conductive line 208 emerges from between insulating layers 204 and 206 and constitutes a microelectrode 209 located adjacent nozzle 120. The length of the exposed portion of electrically conductive line 208 can be 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch; however, the length of the exposed portion can vary and be less than 1/16 inch or greater than 1/8 inch. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the end of microelectrode 202 extends into an imaginary right cylinder extending upward from the circumference of nozzle 120 and having a diameter the same as nozzle 120. It should be understood that the end of

microelectrode 209 need not extend into this imaginary cylinder, but can also be located outside such cylinder so long as it is located where it can induce an electrostatic charge to biocide droplets after they exit nozzle 120.

Microelectrode can be positioned at an angle relative to the direction biocide droplets exit nozzle 120, for example, microelectrode 209 can be positioned at a 45 degree or other angle relative to the direction the biocide exits nozzle 120. The end of electrically conductive line 208 opposite microelectrode 202 communicates electrically with a terminal of battery 210 attached to the side of container 100. Conductive line 208 can communicate electrically with either the negative or positive terminal of battery 210. The battery terminal to which conductive wire 208 communicates will result in the microelectrode inducing a positive or negative charge to the droplets. If it is desired to induce a positive charge, conductive wire 208 should communicate electrically with a negative terminal of the battery. If inducing a negative charge to the droplets is desired, the conductive wire should communicate electrically with the positive terminal of the battery. It should be understood that electrical communication between conductive line 208 and battery 210 can be achieved a number of different ways, including connecting an end of conductive line 208 directly to a terminal of the battery or providing another electrically conductive line between electrically conductive line 208 and a terminal of battery 210. In Figure 2, container 100 carries a thin inner insulating layer 212. Insulating layer 212 electrically isolates battery 210 and conductive lines used to connect battery 210 to conductive line 208 from the wall of container 100. In Figure 2, inner insulating layer 212 fully surrounds container wall 213; however, it should be understood that inner insulating layer 212 need not entirely surround container wall 213. For example, insulating layer 212 need only be provided at locations where an electrically conductive feature is to be carried by container wall 213. Figure 2 shows an optional label 214 provided on a portion of inner insulating layer 212 not occupied by battery 210.

To avoid discharging battery 210 prior to dispensing the biocide, a switch (not shown) can be provided between microelectrode 209 and battery 210. When open, the switch electrically isolates microelectrode 209 from battery 210. The switch is closed when the user desires to create an electric field capable of electrostatically charging the biocide droplets. Typically, the user's desire to create an electric field will occur just prior to dispensing the biocide. Thus, the switch can be configured to close in response to a signal or action indicative of the user's desire to dispense the biocide. Examples of a signal or action indicative of the user's desire to dispense the biocide include removal of a cap that covers the nozzle, actuation of the nozzle, e.g., pushing the nozzle down, or direct activation of a switch.

An electrostatic field can be produced by electrostatic induction or corona discharge using one or more electrodes of the type shown in Figure 2 or a ring, mesh or grid electrode. Electrostatic induction can impart a net charge to an uncharged object, such as the biocide droplets. It should be understood that an electrostatic charge can be imparted to the biocide droplets in other ways using other assemblies not shown in Figure 2. For example, the biocide can be directly charged by immersing in the biocide an electrode connected to a power source, such as a battery. Another electrostatic charging assembly charges the biocide by a technique known as "tribo charging" which uses the friction of the biocide fluid against the fluid conduit of a nozzle and/or other structure through which the biocide passes as it is dispensed to impart an electrostatic charge to the biocide.

Providing an electrostatic charge to biocide droplets promotes dispersion of the droplets in the environment into which they are dispensed and promotes contact of the droplets with target surfaces, especially surfaces very small in size and located in hard to reach locations. When target surfaces, are positively charged, it is preferred to impart a negative charge to the biocide droplets so they will be attracted to the target surfaces.

This application incorporates by reference the teachings of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 61/570,710 filed December 14, 201 1 , in its entirety.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent

applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1 . A device for dispensing a biocide agent comprising:

a. a pressurized container containing the biocide agent and a propellant, wherein the biocide agent includes a biocide and electrochemically activated water;

b. a valve mechanism;

c. a nozzle in fluid communication with the valve mechanism; and

d. a feed tube in fluid communication with the valve mechanism and biocide agent.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the biocide is a natural insecticide.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the biocide is an antimicrobial agent.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemically activated water comprises sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite or combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a microelectrode, wherein the nozzle includes a dispensing end opposite the valve mechanism and the microelectrode is adjacent the dispensing end of the nozzle.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising an insulating layer on an exterior of the container, an electrically conductive line on the insulating layer, wherein the electrically conductive line is connected to the microelectrode.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a battery supported by the container, wherein a terminal of the battery is connected to the electrically conductive line.

8. A method of delivering a biocide agent to an environment, the method comprising:

a. opening a valve;

b. passing the biocide agent that includes a biocide and electrochemically activated water through the valve to a nozzle;

c. passing the biocide agent through the nozzle; and d. forming droplets of the biocide agent, wherein the droplets have a volume mean diameter less than about 15 microns.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the biocide is a natural insecticide.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the biocide is an antimicrobial agent.

1 1 . The method of claim 8, wherein the electrochemically activated water comprises sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the droplets have a volume mean diameter less than about 7 microns.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of electrostatically charging the droplets.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of electrostatically charging the droplets includes inducing an electrostatic charge to the droplets using an electric field located adjacent the nozzle.

15. A method for disinfecting a surface by contacting the surface with a biocide agent , the method comprising:

a. forming droplets of the biocide agent that includes a biocide and electrochemicaNy activated water, wherein the droplets have a volume mean diameter less than about 15 microns; and

b. contacting the droplets with the surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the biocide is an antimicrobial.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the droplets have a volume mean diameter less than about 7 microns.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrochemicaNy activated water comprises sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite or combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising electrostatically charging the droplets.

20. A biocide composition comprising;

a. an aerosol including liquid droplets having a volume mean diameter less than about 15 microns, wherein the liquid droplets comprise a biocide agent that includes a biocide and an electrochemicaNy activated water.

21 . The biocide composition of claim 20, wherein the biocide is an antimicrobial agent.

22. The biocide composition of claim 20, wherein the biocide is a natural insecticide.

23. The biocide composition of claim 20, wherein the electrochemicaNy activated water comprises sodium hydroxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite or combinations thereof.

24. The biocide composition of claim 20, wherein the droplets have a volume mean diameter less than about 7 microns.

25. The biocide composition of claim 20, wherein the droplets are electrostatically charged.