Fogging and electrostatic spraying are only as effective as the chemistry in the tank. The machine delivers the product; the product does the killing, and only when its EPA label allows that application method. This guide lists the chemistries and example products commonly used with each method, and how to check a label before you buy or apply.
The rule: under U.S. law the label is the law. EPA has stated that unless a product's label includes directions for fogging, electrostatic or wide-area spraying, it has not reviewed whether the product is safe and effective when applied that way. Always confirm the current label for your application method, facility type and target organisms.
Electrostatic spraying
Electrostatic spraying has the widest choice of products. In 2020 EPA created an expedited process for manufacturers to add electrostatic directions to existing disinfectant labels, and many did.
| Chemistry | Example products | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Quaternary ammonium (quats) | Clorox Total 360® Disinfectant Cleaner | Schools, gyms, offices |
| Accelerated hydrogen peroxide | Diversey Oxivir® line, Ecolab peroxide disinfectants | Healthcare, daycares (low residue) |
| Silver dihydrogen citrate | PURE® Bioscience SDC-based disinfectants | Food-adjacent areas, daycares |
| Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) | Various EPA-registered HOCl products | Low-toxicity areas, gyms |
Spartan Chemical and Ecolab/Kay Chemical also offer products with electrostatic directions; ask your representative which specific products carry them.
ULV (cold) and dry fogging
Fogging disinfectants are frequently registered as a system: a specific product used with a specific fogging device. Using the product in a different machine may fall outside the label.
| Chemistry | Example systems | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen peroxide + silver | Halosil® HaloMist™ with the Halo Fogging System | Whole-room disinfection in vacated rooms |
| Ionized hydrogen peroxide | TOMI SteraMist® | Registered as a system; widely used during COVID-19 |
| Hydrogen peroxide dry fog | CURIS® System | Registered as a system |
| Chlorine dioxide + quat | Vital Oxide® | The label version we reviewed allows fogging for deodorizing, not disinfecting |
Thermal fogging
Thermal fogging has the fewest disinfectant options. Heat breaks down many disinfectants, including hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, and few labels include thermal-fogging directions.
| Purpose | Example products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Disinfection, animal premises | Synergize® (quat + glutaraldehyde), Virkon® S (potassium peroxymonosulfate) | Fogging directions are typically for livestock and animal facilities, not schools, offices or food plants |
| Odor control | Thermal-fogging deodorizers for smoke and fire restoration (for example, Legend Brands Unsmoke® line) | Deodorizing only; not a disinfectant claim |
| Flying-insect control | Pyrethrin-based insecticides labeled for thermal fogging | Applied by licensed pest management professionals |
COVID-era research did show that thermal fogging with a quat (didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide) inactivated a coronavirus in cold-chain environments. In the U.S., the closest chemistry is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), found in many quat disinfectants, but a product can only be thermal-fogged if its own label allows it.
Food plants: extra checks
- Confirm whether the product is a food-contact sanitizer, a disinfectant, or both, and whether a potable-water rinse is required.
- Remove or cover exposed product, packaging and ingredients before any fogging or spraying.
- Document product, concentration, area, contact time and re-entry for your sanitation records and audits.
How to check any product in four steps
- Find the EPA Registration Number on the label
- Look it up in EPA's pesticide label database and open the newest label
- Confirm it lists your application method, facility type and target organisms
- Follow the label's dilution, contact time, PPE and re-entry directions
How Cavanto chooses products
We select EPA-registered products by surface, soil, target organism and application method, and confirm the current label before every program. Electrostatic spraying is our primary surface-disinfection method, ULV systems are used for whole-room treatment, and thermal fogging is reserved for odor and flying-insect control where labels allow. Compare the technologies on our Technology & Verification page.
Sources
- EPA: Adding electrostatic spray application directions to antimicrobial product registrations
- EPA: Pesticide labels and label search
- EPA label: Halosil (Reg. No. 84526-6)
- EPA label: Vital Oxide (Reg. No. 82972-1)
- Synergize product label
- Thermal fogging with DDAB kills a coronavirus in sub-zero cold-chain environments (preprint; published in J Appl Microbiol 2022)
Product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners and are listed as examples only; listing does not imply endorsement or a partnership. Labels change; always use the current EPA-accepted label. This guide is general information, not regulatory advice.