I've broadened the topic to include pathogens that could include viruses, bacteria, and fungi - and coined the product  name, ChloroCloud™. Due to the corrosive nature of chlorine, this version uses PVC tubing and fitting. I should mentioned that my experience with HCl gas and liquid chlorides goes back decades, and I was co-inventor on U.S. Patent 5,599,425,  Predecomposition of organic chlorides for silicon processing, a commercial product sold by Air Products under the trade name, Trans-LC.

Today's check of the storage bin containing the ChloroCloud device 12 hours after increasing the concentration to 1 to 1 ratio of distilled water and standard laundry grade bleach. As noted in yesterday's post, the fumes are still  noticeable and reminiscent of a hotel indoor swimming pool. I could envision this ChloroCloud device being placed inside a mailbox for months between refills and disinfecting mail.

In researching how long COVID-19 may survive on a surface, there is already quite a bit of information available. Site https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/long-can-viruses-live-on-surfaces.htm references researchers at the National Institutes of Health, who tested forms of coronavirus. They found these viruses may live on plastic and stainless steel for more than 72 hours, cardboard for more than 24 hours, and copper for less than 4 hours.  

The concentration of chlorine vapor will need to be balanced versus time needed to kill pathogens. The SDS (safety data sheet) from Clorox at https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/cloroxregular-bleach12015-06-12.pdf mentions for handling to "Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing."

Planning to reach out to CDC, NIH and known virus experts for ways to test the effectiveness of ChloroCloud at killing pathogens. I've also identified some commercial applications I plan to contact for possible collaborations. 

Hello and Welcome to our first Blog for HumiForm. While this product was originally intended for humidifying cigars, we've had a moment of inspiration that maybe HumiForm has a place in the fight against the Corona Virus. This is NOT an area we've dealt with previously, so please bare with us as we proceed. 

HumiForm draws water from a reservoir and transfers as water vapor inside a cigar humidor. What if we can deliver diluted chlorine vapor instead, using Sodium Hypochlorite (a.k.a. common bleach)? Would this create a way to disinfect your mail, packages or other items?  We think so.  

Testing is underway where we have initially mixed up a 4 to 1 blend of distilled water and bleach in a standard HumiForm reservoir, and placed inside a plastic storage bin with closed lid. Literature suggests that chlorine may kill viruses in a matter of minutes, although most of what we've uncovered is based on the use of liquids rather than vapor/fumes. We'd expect longer exposure to be necessary with HumiForm, with an emphasis on safety over speed.

​Here are some photos showing the configuration of HumiForm with the water/bleach mixture in testing. ​

UPDATE: An hour into testing, the filament is soaked as expected, but the fumes are barely noticeable. Increased the strength to 2 to 1 distilled water to bleach.

Four hours into testing, the fumes are still barely noticeable. Increased the strength to a ratio of 1 to 1 distilled water to bleach.  

Nine hours into testing, the fumes are fairly noticeable at a 1 to 1 ratio of distilled water and bleach. It's reminiscent of a hotel indoor swimming pool.