Atmospheric Disinfection Nebulization

Nebulisation (fogging) consists of dispersing a disinfectant in very fine droplets that remain suspended in the air of an enclosed space and settle on surfaces.

It is done with equipment that generates a cold (ULV) or thermal fog. The small droplets reach areas that are hard to reach by hand, but they do not replace cleaning: the fog does not remove soil, and organic matter protects microorganisms. That is why fogging is used, if at all, as a complement after cleaning, not as an alternative to contact disinfection. The amount that reaches each surface depends on the volume of the space, the equipment, the diffusion time and the ventilation, and is difficult to control.

There are two essential conditions. The first is legal: a biocide may only be applied by fogging if its authorisation covers that application method, and the label and data sheet state so. A disinfectant being registered for application by contact, by immersion or by spraying onto surfaces does not allow it to be fogged. The second is effectiveness: airborne disinfection of surfaces by an automated process is tested with the EN 17272 standard, which is different from the surface or suspension standards.

Fogging exposes people to inhaling the product. Biocides authorised for this use are usually restricted to specialised professional staff and set conditions such as an evacuated and closed space, a safety period before re-entry and ventilation. These must be followed exactly as stated on the label.

For spray or sprayed applications, see the chemical atomisation entry, and for choosing a disinfectant, the professional disinfectants guide.

More information: Chemical atomisation · Biocide registration in Spain