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Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or PAA), is an organic compound. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor reminiscent of household vinegar. All commercially available PAA products contain an equilibrium of PAA, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, and water. Its formula is CH3CO3H.

Peracetic acid is an ideal antimicrobial agent due to its high oxidizing potential. It is highly effective against a broad range of microorganisms. In addition, PAA breaks down in food to safe and environmentally friendly residues (acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide), and therefore can be used in non-rinse applications. PAA is one of the most environmentally friendly antimicrobial agents, since resulting wastewater can be land-applied for irrigation and is generally eligible for NPDES permits to discharge to natural waterways.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency first registered peracetic acid as an antimicrobial in 1985 for indoor use on hard surfaces. Today, registered applications have expanded to include: sanitation at food and beverage plants, agricultural premises, wineries and breweries, greenhouse facilities and equipment, as well as animal housing. Peracetic acid is also approved for use in dairy/cheese processing plants, and directly on fruits and vegetables, as well as on meat, poultry, and seafood products. It is also used to prevent bio film formation in paper and pulp industries, and as a disinfectant for municipal effluent. As the interest in "green chemistries" increases, PAA is finding use as a biocide in industrial cooling water systems.

PAA TESTING

Enviro Tech currently has three methods for testing available PAA in use solutions. These consist of:

  • Test strips - Useful for quick, approximate measurements, particularly between 0-80ppm.
  • Drop test kits - Formulated specifically for Enviro Tech PAA, and useful for accurate measurements at all typical use concentrations. This is the only drop test kit that is recommended for our PAA.
  • Digital handheld electronic meter - Easy to understand digital readout, and much less affected by operator bias. No dropper bottles or watching for color changes. Low range from 0-10 ppm with 0.1 ppm resolution, and high range from 0-200 with 2 ppm resolution. This is the recommended test method for all PAA uses, and the most useful test method for uses requiring less than 10 ppm PAA such as irrigation and cooling water.
These test methods, as well as any applicable refills, can be purchased directly from Master's Company, Inc. (ph. 630-238-9292)

REGULATORY ITEMS

NOP (Organic) Regulatory Explanations

ARTCA 1998 — FDA vs. EPA Regulations

Environmental Assessment of HEDP in Peracetic Acid

7 CFR 205 National Organic Program

Notification vs. Amendment Explanation

21 CFR 173.370

NSF Approvals — Potable Water

Aquatic Toxicity for Peracetic Acid

TRIALS, PROCEDURES, AND EVALUATIONS

Determining Percent Active Biocide as a Function of pH

Peracetic Acid Efficacy vs. Time vs. Temperature vs. PPM

Peracetic Acid vs. Hydrogen Peroxide Efficacy Comparison

Peracetic Acid Against E. coli and Staph

Peracetic Acid Efficacy vs. Lactobacillus in 15% Brine

Peracetic Acid Copper Corrosion Report

Ion Exchange Resin Cleaning Process

Peracetic Acid Fate in Soil

BOD-Bacteria and Salt Evaluations

Peracetic Acid Stability in Brine Solutions

Peracetic Acid in Sanitation

Sunlight Stability of Perasan A

Peracetic Acid Materials Bulletin

ENVIRONMENTAL

Peracetic Acid Decay Profiles Report

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS

Mishandled Peracetic Acid

Peracetic Acid Use Chart

Safe-T-Feed System Information

ORP Relating to Oxidizers vs. Chlorine

Peracetic Acid pH in Various Waters

Peracetic Acid Analytical Method

Peracetic Acid-Sodium Metabisulfite Neutralization

Corrosive Effects of Peracetic Acid on Materials

Peracetic Acid vs. Cl2 Equivalency

Frequently Asked Questions

PAA Analysis Using DPD Indicator (US Patent #7,651,860)