New Solution for Your Ultrasonic Machine

Due to recent increased EPA restrictions, many manufacturers have moved away from private label bottling their chemicals.  The bad news? This has affected the very popular Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant Concentrate. After exhausting every option, this product is no longer available. The good news? Oaktree Products was able to source a comparable product called DECON-QUAT. Here is what you need to know:

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:

Both Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant and DECON-QUAT are EPA-registered quaternary ammonium-based concentrates. The main difference is DECON-QUAT is bottled at a higher concentration of quaternary-ammonium. While an 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT will cost more, it will make 6x more solution (16 gallons) than an 8oz bottle of Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant (2.67 gallons). At the end of the day, both end up costing essentially the same in the long run.

HOW MANY BOTTLES TO ORDER:

Depending on the capacity of your ultrasonic machine and frequency of replenishment, one (1) 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT can last anywhere from 3- to 21-months. A good starting point is to order one 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT per dedicated clinical office to get a sense as to how many bottles to reorder in the future.  Because the concentration is higher, DECON-QUAT will last longer so order conservatively to avoid the situation where the product expires before it can be used up.

DECON-QUAT FAQs:

• What is the active ingredient? This is a non-alcohol, quaternary ammonia (“quat”) based product, just like the Audiologist’s Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant concentrate.

• Is this product EPA registered? Yes.  the EPA registration number is 10324-141-68959

• Is this product considered a hospital-grade disinfectant? Yes.  All EPA-registered disinfectants are considered hospital-grade.

• How much solution does DECON yield compared to Audiologists Choice Ultrasonic? DECON yields 16 gallons of solution, Audiologists Choice yielded 2.67 gallons of solution.

• How long must items soak to achieve hospital-grade disinfection (e.g. dwell time)? 10 minutes, just like the Audiologist-Choice Ultrasonic Disinfectant concentrate.

• What are the mixing instructions for DECON? The instructions for use on the label indicate 0.5 oz per gallon of water

• How much concentrate do I add to my ultrasonic machine? Depending on the ultrasonic machine’s capacity, anywhere from 1 to 4 capfuls of DECON concentrate (NOTE: pour DECON capfuls in ultrasonic first, then add water). Assuming a new batch of ultrasonic solution is prepared each week, an 8oz bottle of DECON-QUAT will make 20 to 80 new batches which ends up being anywhere from a 3-month to 21-month supply.

• The “mixing by capful” guide uses more concentrate than require. Is this a problem? Our “mixing by capful” guide was designed to be practical; for example, if an ultrasonic machine with a capacity of 1.5 quarts ended up needing 2.79 capfuls of concentrate, we rounded up to 3 capfuls to make it easy for the provider the make the solution.

If there is more concentrate added, the solution will be stronger but that is not a problem.  EPA claims listed on product labeling outlines minimum dilutions.  Mixing a solution with more concentrate than called for will kill the same microorganisms without any negative effects. 

• What if I don’t feel comfortable with the “mixing by capful” approach?  If mixing the concentrate according to labeled instruction is preferred, the most practical approach is to mix ½ ounce of concentrate (0.5 oz) in a gallon of water and to use that solution to fill and replenish the ultrasonic machine as needed until it’s time to mix a new gallon batch.

• How long will one bottle of DECON last? Depends on the capacity of your ultrasonic machine and how often you change out the solution.  Assuming one new batch of solution per week, find the row that best corresponds to the capacity of the customer’s ultrasonic machine and refer to LIFECYCLE column for ballpark estimate of how long one bottle of DECON will last.

• Is there an expiration date? A smaller white label with a QR code is located toward the top of the bottle.  The last line has the letters “EXP”; the date following these letters indicates the expiration date which is listed as DAY-MONTH-YEAR (e.g. 01-Jun-2023).

• What is the shelf-life of DECON? See expiration date on the bottle. (NOTE: it is an EPA requirement for chemicals to have expiration dates from the date of manufacture which is usually 2 years.  If someone performed assay testing, it is highly likely the product would be considered effective even after the expiration date. Since assay testing is not commercially available, we cannot recommend using DECON past the expiration date).

• What is the use/re-use guideline for DECON? Once mixed, the solution is good for up to 30 days, but it should be changed out if the solution appears unclear or murky.  Most change the solution out weekly (or sooner as needed).

• How do you dispose of the solution? The SDS sheet in section 13 indicates to dispose used solution ‘in a safe manner in accordance with local/national regulations.’  This may be as simple as pouring it down the sink with running water although different localities have different rules and a general recommendation is not available.  Proceed in in accordance with local or federal regulations.

For more information or to place an order for DECON-QUAT, contact Oaktree Products toll free 800.347.1960 or via email at otp@oaktreeeproducts.com