EPA Approves Protocols for Antimicrobial Fogging and Misting Application Claims
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved protocols developed by ATS Labs that would allow antimicrobial product developers to register disinfection and sanitizer products intended for fogging or misting applications. The protocol will confirm a product's antimicrobial efficacy against public health organisms when tested in the dedicated fogging and misting testing room at ATS Labs' Eagan, Minn. facility.
In the past, the EPA did not require disinfectant product registrants to submit data when fogging or misting product claims were initially registered, as the claims were not considered public health-related claims at that time. The EPA Pesticide Program now requires these manufacturers to substantiate the claims by submitting GLP-compliant data to demonstrate efficacy when the product is applied using a fogging or misting device. The official letter, dated April 1, 2013, is available on the EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/fogger-mister-final-signed-letter.pdf.
ATS Labs worked closely with EPA officials through a Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) submission review in developing these protocols that have now been approved by the EPA. Having the protocols formally approved provides manufacturers with a faster and more economical solution to satisfying the new regulatory requirements. These EPA-approved protocols can be used to support the use of any type of fogging and misting device that registrants would like to include on their product label. ATS Labs has extensive experience working with antimicrobial pesticide fogging or misting products and has developed protocols for supporting efficacy label claims for bacterial disinfection, virucidal efficacy, efficacy against Clostridium difficile spores, tuberculocidal efficacy, non-food contact sanitization, and food contact sanitization.
In addition, the dedicated fogging and misting testing room at ATS Labs is equipped with independent air handling and temperature control to perform this testing. Additional test rooms are available to meet manufacturers' specific space requirements based on the device used in testing.
Source: ATS Labs
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.
AHE Exchange Summit 2025 Brings EVS and Infection Prevention Experts Together in Columbus, Ohio
June 9th 2025The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.
Far UV-C Light Shows Promise for Decontaminating Medical Equipment in Clinical Settings
June 4th 2025Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.
