Hydrogen peroxide disinfectant with increased activity

Abstract

An acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is provided with improved disinfectant activity. Concentrated solutions preferably contain up to about 8 wt./wt. % H2O2 and as-used concentrations contain about 0.5% wt./wt. % H2O2. The solution also contains from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of at least one phosphorous-based acid, e.g. phosphoric acid and/or a phosphonic acid with from 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, and from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of at least one anionic surfactant. The surfactant is selected from C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids, naphthalene sulfonic acids, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids, and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, and alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably the solution has an emulsifier, e.g. a polyoxyethylene surfactant. The solution also preferably contains a hydrotrope, e.g. an alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide salt. The solution may also contain corrosion inhibitors and/or lower alcohols.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to disinfectants and, in particular, it relates to hydrogen peroxide solutions with improved disinfectant and antimicrobial properties.

Background to the Invention

[0003] A wide range of disinfectants is known, as discussed for example in Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, edited and partially written by Professor Seymour S. Block, Fourth Edition, published 1991 by Lea & Febiger, Pennsylvania. Certain peroxygen compounds, chlorine compounds, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds and surface active agents are known for their germicidal properties. The rate of disinfection is relatively slow in many cases, and some compounds emit volatile organic compounds or leave a persistent residue in the environment.

[0004] Hydrogen peroxide is finding favour in many applications because its breakdown products, water and oxygen, are innocuous, and it tends to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Broad spectrum activity is important in situations where harmful organisms are present but their identity is not known.

[0005] As hydrogen peroxide tends to be unstable and decomposes over time, steps must be taken to stabilize the hydrogen peroxide solutions for storage purposes. All commercially available aqueous hydrogen peroxide contains added stabilizers in small amounts, i.e. measured in parts per million, and have an excellent shelf life. For example, see Kirk-Othmer et al, “Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology”, vol. 13 (New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1991) at page 965 which discusses the requirement to add stabilizers to commercial hydrogen peroxide solutions. Hence, all references herein to hydrogen peroxide are references to commercially available hydrogen peroxide containing small amounts of stabilizers. Known hydrogen peroxide stabilizers include organic sequestering agents, i.e. stannates and phosphates, and combinations of organic compounds and organometallic salts with or without stannates and phosphates. An exemplary stannate is sodium stannate trihydrate and an exemplary phosphate is sodium pyrophosphate.

[0006] A major drawback of most disinfectants used heretofore has been the length of time needed to reduce the bacterial count after the disinfectant has been applied to a bacterially contaminated material. For example, it may take 30 minutes or more after application of the disinfectant to disinfect a treated surface. In many circumstances this rate of disinfection is far from satisfactory.

[0007] Combinations of hydrogen peroxide with various surfactants are known. For example, Winterton et al. discloses, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,012, a buffered disinfecting solution for contact lenses, which has from about 0.1% to about 1.0% of an ocularly compatible surfactant. Winterton discloses that, in one experiment, addition of about 0.4% anionic sulfosuccinate surfactant improved the killing time for aspergillus fumigatus to 6.9 minutes, compared to 9.4 minutes for a solution containing 0.1% nonionic surfactants. However, even 6.9 minutes is far too long for many applications.

[0008] The present invention is directed to improving the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide based solutions.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] Accordingly, the invention provides an aqueous solution having a pH of from 1 to 7, and preferably 1 to 3, and comprising i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to about 20 wt./wt. % of the solution, ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution, and iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution.

[0010] Preferably, the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, and mixtures thereof. Of the phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid is most preferred. However, also preferred are amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyethylimino bis(methylene phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid).

[0011] Preferred anionic surfactants are anionic alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, preferably dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof.

[0012] The solution may contain up to about 3 wt./wt. % of an additional component selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, hydrotropes, and mixtures thereof. Preferred emulsifiers are polyoxyethylene surfactants, preferably alkyl polyoxyethylene surfactants and alkyl aryl polyoxyethylene surfactants. An example of an alkyl aryl polyoxyethylene surfactant is C8 to C16 alkyl phenoxypolyethoxy ethanol.

[0013] Preferred hydrotropes are alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxides, alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide salts, and mixtures thereof. Even more preferred is a C6 alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide disodium salt.

[0014] The solution may contain hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution, 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt. % of the solution, and from 3.0 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

[0015] The solution may also contain a corrosion inhibitor in a concentration of from 0.05 to 10.0 wt./wt % of the solution, and from 0.1 to 10 wt./wt. % of an alcohol comprising one to six carbon atoms. Furthermore, the solution may contain a monocarboxylic acid, a polycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In the past few years, efforts have been concentrated on developing chemicals that will be highly effective against microorganisms when highly diluted, will be low in toxicity to humans and other animals, and will not injure the environment. Of all the known disinfectants and antimicrobials, hydrogen peroxide appears to have exceptional potential, especially in terms of toxicity and injury to the environment because the decomposition products are benign. For example, at concentrations of 1-3 wt./wt. % aqueous solution, hydrogen peroxide is considered non-corrosive and non-irritating; at concentrations of 3-7 wt./wt. % aqueous solution, hydrogen peroxide is considered non-corrosive but an eye irritant; and at concentrations of above about 8 wt./wt. % aqueous solution, hydrogen peroxide is considered corrosive, more so at higher concentrations, and also a strong oxidizing agent.

[0017] The higher concentration levels of hydrogen peroxide solutions required to provide fast, effective action are not practical or economically viable, and may be subject to hazardous goods regulations and require special precautions for handling and use. Heretofore, one of the major drawbacks of hydrogen peroxide, in low concentrations, is that its antimicrobial action is too slow. A second major drawback is that it has not been considered possible to stabilize the peroxide sufficiently to make the solution commercially acceptable. For example, prior references indicate that a 0.1 wt./wt. % aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide requires 60 minutes to disinfect surfaces contaminated with staphylococcus aureus, whereas a 25.8 wt./wt. % aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide requires only 20 seconds to disinfect surfaces contaminated with staphylococcus aureus. The latter solution is clearly unacceptable for commercial use, both from a safety standpoint and an economic standpoint.

[0018] It has now been found that addition of phosphorus-based acids and anionic surfactants greatly enhance the activity of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions. The phosphorus-based acids are inorganic acids or organic acids. Especially preferred are phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups. Particularly preferred phosphonic acids are amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepenta-(methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyethylimino bis(methylene phosphonic acid), and ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid). Each may be used alone, but mixtures of phosphoric acid and at least one of the phosphonic acids are preferred. Some of these phosphonic acids are available from Albright & Wilson under the trade mark BRIQUEST and some from Solutia Inc. under the trade mark DEQUEST. The concentration of the phosphorus-based acids is from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution. The lower concentrations are preferable for solutions with lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The pH of the solutions are from 1 to 7, and even more particularly from about 1 to about 3.

[0019] The anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution. Preferably, the anionic surfactant is an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, especially a C8 to C16 alkyl benzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof. Preferred anionic surfactants are dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid and tridecyl benzene sulfonic acid and their salts, e.g. sodium, potassium, ammonium salts.

[0020] Of the sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids, sulfonated 9-octadecanoic acid is preferred. Of the C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and salts, dodecyl diphenyl oxide disulfonic acid and disodium 4-dodecylated diphenyloxide sulfonate, alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide disodium salt are preferred. Of the C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids, the sodium salts of 1-octane sulfonic acid, 1-decane sulfonic acid and tridecane sulfonic acid are preferred. Of the alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate is preferred.

[0021] The hydrogen peroxide solution may be prepared as a concentrated aqueous solution, e.g. up to 20 wt./wt. % hydrogen peroxide, preferably up to 8 wt./wt. %, which then may be diluted by the end user, or the solution may be prepared in a dilute form, e.g. from 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt. %. As will be illustrated by the examples which follow, solutions of about 0.5 wt./wt. % are effective in substantially reducing bacterial and viral activity.

[0022] Solutions having about from 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt %, especially about 0.5 wt./wt. % hydrogen peroxide are suitable for use as household and commercial disinfectants, bactericides, virucides, sanitizers and cleaners. Solutions having about 3-4 wt./wt. % are suitable for use as multi-purpose cleaners and bleach alternatives in healthcare facilities, households and commercial facilities. Solutions having about 6-8 wt./wt. % hydrogen peroxide are suitable for use as a sporicides, fungicides, virucides, bactericides, broad spectrum sanitizers, general purpose cleaners and bleach alternatives, particularly in institutional, healthcare and food applications.

[0023] Other surfactants may be present as emulsifiers and/or hydrotropes in the solutions. For example, certain emulsifiers and/or hydrotropes are beneficial for cleaning surfaces with organic matter or grease and for providing stability to the solution. Typically, the emulsifiers and/or hydrotropes are present in a concentration of about 10 to 30 parts emulsifier per hundred parts of hydrogen peroxide or up to about 3.0. wt./wt. % of the solution. Preferably, they are present in a concentration of about 0.1 to 0.2 wt./wt. % of the solution.

[0024] Preferred emulsifiers are non-ionic alkylated alkoxylate surfactants. More preferred are alkylated polyoxyethylene surfactants, including aryl polyoxyethylene surfactants such as C8 to C16 alkylphenol ethoxylates (e.g. octyl phenol ethoxylate).

[0025] A short-chain alcohol, e.g. a C1-C6 alcohol, especially methanol, ethanol or iso-propanol, may be added to provide additional cleaning ability for organic contaminants. Preferred concentrations of the short chain alcohol are from about 0.1 to about 10 wt./wt. % of the solution. Addition of the alcohol is believed to provide better germicidal activity.

[0026] Because hydrogen peroxide has a broad spectrum of activity, it is useful in many different applications. In the healthcare field, the solution may be used in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, dental offices, home care and chronic care facilities. It may also be used in food and beverage processing and preparation, animal husbandry, the hospitality industry and for general sanitation, e.g. janitorial services.

[0027] The solutions of the present invention have a long shelf life, e.g. up to a year or more.

[0028] A preferred method for preparing the solutions of the present invention comprises adding the phosphorus-based acid(s) and the anionic surfactant(s) and optionally the emulsifiers and/or hydrotropes to distilled or otherwise purified water prior to the addition of hydrogen peroxide. If there are any other ingredients, e.g. alcohols, scents, colouring agents, dyes, corrosion inhibitors these are preferably added before the hydrogen peroxide.

[0029] The invention may also be better understood by reference to the following examples:

EXAMPLE I

[0030] A solution of the present invention (Solution A) was prepared with 695 parts by weight distilled water, 20 parts by weight 75% phosphoric acid (H3PO4), 75 parts by weight 50% Briquest 301-50A (trade mark) amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), 25 parts by weight 45% hydrotrope Dowfax (trade mark) C6 alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide disodium salt, 25 parts by weight 98% Biosoft S-100 (trade mark) dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, 10 parts by weight Triton X-405 70% (trade mark) octyl phenol ethoxylate emulsifier and 150 parts by weight 50% hydrogen peroxide. The ingredients were mixed in a passivated vessel, with hydrogen peroxide being the last ingredient added to the solution. The pH of the solution was 1.27.

[0031] Aliquots of this solution were tested for mycobacterial, sporicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal and virucidal activity and compared against commercially available disinfectants. For testing for bactericidal and virucidal activity, aliquots were diluted with water, with 1 part solution to 15 parts water.

[0032] Quantitative carrier tests were conducted on the samples. The test methods incorporated the essential requirements of the Canadian General Standards Boards' standard entitled “Assessment of Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents for Use on Environmental Surfaces and Medical Devices” (CGSB 1997), and also conform to the ASTM requirements for evaluating virucidal activity of liquid germicides to be used on non-porous surfaces.

[0033] The inside bottom surface of glass vials was used as the carrier surface for mycobacterial, sporicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal tests. Stainless steel disks were used as the carrier surface for virucidal tests. Silk suture loops were not used because of the extreme difficulty in using them for standardized tests.

[0034] All test organisms were first suspended in bovine serum at a final concentration of 5 wt./wt. % of the solution. When the product was to be tested after dilution, water with a standard hardness of 200 ppm as calcium carbonate was used as the diluent. The water was prepared according to the formula in AOAC International (1990).

[0035] Phosphate buffer, at pH 7.2, was used to make dilutions of spores and vegetative bacterial cells and to rinse membrane filters in tests for sporicidal and bactericidal tests. The diluent and filter rinse used for mycobacterial and fungicidal tests was sterile normal saline (0.85% sodium chloride). Earle's balance salt solution was used to prepare dilutions of the virus prior to infectivity assays.

[0036] The general steps for quantitative analysis of mycobacterial, sporicidal, fungicidal and bactericidal activities of the test disinfectant involved i) inoculating carriers with inserts centred in vials, ii) dyeing the inoculated carriers, iii) removing the inserts, iv) adding a test disinfectant to the inoculated carrier, v) diluting the test disinfectant at the completion of a known exposure time at a known temperature, vi) filtering and vii) placing the filters onto a medium, followed by incubating. The colony forming units (CFU) were then determined.

[0037] Control carriers were used in the same manner as test carriers, except that phosphate buffer was applied to the dried inoculum instead of disinfectant in the case of sporicidal and bacterial tests, and sterile saline was applied in the case of mycobactericidal and fungicidal tests. In the tests, there were three control carriers to every seven test carriers.

[0038] For virucidal activity, each stainless steel disk received test virus in bovine serum. After the inoculum had dried, it was exposed either to Earle's buffer solution or the test disinfectant for the required contact time and temperature. Each disk was placed in a vial with eluent/diluent and vortexed to recover the inoculum. The control and test eluates were inoculated into cell cultures for virus plaque assays. The plaque forming units (PFU) were then determined. To avoid false positive results, further controls were carried out by exposing the cell monolayers to a non-virucidal and non-cytotoxic dilution of the test products and then using the same monolayers for plaque assays. If the number of plaques on such pre-exposed monolayers was the same as those exposed to Earle's solution, the product was regarded as free from interference. In the tests, there were three control carriers to every five test carriers.

[0039] The test results are shown in Tables I and II

	TABLE I
	Organism	Contact time	CFU** Control	Solution A
	ATCC 19659*	6	hours	1.96 × 108	0
	ATCC 7955*	6	hours	3.12 × 107	0
	ATCC 15442*	10	minutes	1.79 × 106	0
	ATCC 15442*	3	minutes	1.25 × 106	0
	ATCC 15442*	1	minute	1.45 × 106	0
	ATCC 6538*	1	minute	1.40 × 106	0
	ATCC 10708*	1	minute	1.16 × 106	0
	ATCC 15755*	20	minutes	1.86106	0
	ATCC 9533*	5	minutes	4.0 × 105	0

[0040]

	TABLE II
	Organism	Contact time	PFU** Control	Solution A
	ATCC VR-192*	5 minutes	8.7 × 104	1
	ATCC VR-192*	5 minutes	8.7 × 104	10
	*ATCC 19659 Bacillus subtilis;
	*ATCC 7955 Clostridium sporogenes;
	*ATCC 15442 Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
	*ATCC 6538 Staphylococcus aureus;
	*ATCC 10708 Salmonella chloreraesuis;
	*ATCC 15755 Mycobacterium terrae;
	*ATCC 9533 Trichophyton mentagrophytes;
	*ATCC VR-192* Sabin vaccine strain of polio virus Type I
	**CFU = colony forming units; PFU = plaque forming units

EXAMPLE II

[0041] Solution A of Example I was tested further, according to the method of Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Final Action AOAC XV, 1995, Part 6.3.03.

[0042] Samples of the organism being tested were mixed with 5% bovine serum. 56 mL portions of Solution A were diluted with 4 liters of 200 ppm synthetic hard water. Each dilute solution was applied to an organism at 20° C. and the organism count per milliliter was determined before application of the solution, and 30 seconds and 60 seconds after application of the solution. The results are shown in Table III.

	TABLE III
			Count	Count
	Organism	Initial Count	30 sec	60 sec
	ATCC 15442	94.5 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 6538	44.5 × 106	218	75
	ATCC 33592*	32.3 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 51575*	94.5 × 106	<10	<10
	*ATCC 33592 Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistant); ATCC 51575 Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin resistant)

EXAMPLE III

[0043] Solution A of Example I was tested further, according to the method of Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Final Action AOAC XV, 1995, Part 6.3.03.

[0044] Samples of the organism being tested were mixed with 5% bovine serum. The undiluted Solution A was applied to the organisms at 20° C. and the organism count per milliliter was determined before application of the solution, and 30 seconds and 60 seconds after application of the solution. The results are shown in Table IV.

	TABLE IV
			Count	Count
	Organism	Initial Count	30 sec	60 sec
	ATCC 10708	117 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 15442	94.5 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 6538	44.5 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 33592	79.5 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 51575	32.3 × 106	<10	<10

EXAMPLE IV

[0045] The test according to Example II was modified, using 50% bovine serum which was added to the organism. 56 mL portions of Solution A were diluted with 4 liters of 200 ppm synthetic hard water. Each dilute solution was applied to an organism at 20° C. and the organism count per milliliter was determined before and application of the solution, and 30 seconds and 60 seconds after application of the solution. The results are shown in Table V.

	TABLE V
			Count	Count
	Organism	Initial Count	30 sec	60 sec
	ATCC 15442	235 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 6358	115 × 106	<10	<10
	ATCC 10708	81.3 × 106	<10	<10

EXAMPLE V

[0046] Tests were carried out to determine the cleaning efficiency of diluted solutions of Solution A compared to commercially available cleaners. Test Procedure CAN/CGSB 2.1, Method 20.3 was used, in which synthetic soil, of brown iron oxide pigment, kerosene, Stoddard solvent, white petroleum jelly, lubricating oil and shortening, was applied to white vinyl tiles. As a control, a 1% CGSB standard detergent in 125 ppm hard water, was used.

[0047] One portion of Solution A was diluted in 125 ppm hard water to form Solution B, which contained about 0.06% hydrogen peroxide. Another portion of Solution A was diluted in 125 ppm hard water to form Solution C, which contained about 0.01% hydrogen peroxide. A sample of commercial sodium hypochlorite bleach was diluted 1:20 to form Solution D.

[0048] The contaminated tiles were cleaned with 50 mL of each solution being tested and cleaning efficiency values were based on reflectance measurements. The results are shown in Table VI.

TABLE VI
Solution                     Efficiency (%)
Solution B (0.06% H2O2)      94.6
Solution C (0.01% H2O2)      93.7
Solution D (Na hypochlorite) 11.3
Standard Detergent           77.2
Distilled water              11.4

Claims

1. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; and iv) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

2. A solution according to claim 1 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

3. A solution according to claim 2 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

4. A solution according to claim 3 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

5. A solution according to claim 2 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, and mixtures thereof.

6. A solution according to claim 5 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyethylimino bis(methylene phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid), and mixtures thereof.

7. A solution according to claim 6 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, and mixtures thereof.

8. A solution according to claim 2 containing dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid or an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt thereof.

9. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) up to about 3 wt./wt. % of an additional component selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, hydrotropes, and mixtures thereof; and v) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

10. A solution according to claim 9 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

11. A solution according to claim 10 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

12. A solution according to claim 11 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

13. A solution according to claim 10 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, and mixtures thereof.

14. A solution according to claim 13 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyethylimino bis(methylene phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid), and mixtures thereof.

15. A solution according to claim 14 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, and mixtures thereof.

16. A solution according to claim 10 containing dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid or an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt thereof.

17. A solution according to claim 10 wherein the emulsifier is a polyoxyethylene surfactant.

18. A solution according to claim 10 wherein the hydrotrope is selected from an alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide and an alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide salt.

19. A solution according to claim 18 containing a C6 alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide disodium salt.

20. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) a corrosion inhibitor in a concentration of from 0.05 to 10.0 wt./wt % of the solution; and v) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

21. A solution according to claim 20 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

22. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) from 0.1 to 10 wt./wt. % of an alcohol comprising one to six carbon atoms; and v) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

23. A solution according to claim 22 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

24. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) a monocarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 wt./wt. %; and v) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

25. A solution according to claim 24 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

26. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to about 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; and iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) up to about 3 wt./wt. % of an additional component selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, hydrotropes, and mixtures thereof; v) a corrosion inhibitor in a concentration of from 0.05 to 10.0 wt./wt % of the solution; and vi) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

27. A solution according to claim 26 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

28. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to about 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; and iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) up to about 3 wt./wt. % of an additional component selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, hydrotropes, and mixtures thereof; v) a monocarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 wt./wt. %; vi) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

29. A solution according to claim 28 wherein said pH is from 1 to 3.

30. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and consisting essentially of: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to about 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; and iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; iv) up to about 3 wt./wt. % of an additional component selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, hydrotropes, and mixtures thereof; v) a corrosion inhibitor in a concentration of from 0.05 to 10.0 wt./wt % of the solution; vi) a monocarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 wt./wt. %; and vii) the remainder to 100 wt./wt. % water.

31. A solution according to claim 30 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

32. An aqueous disinfecting or sanitizing solution having a pH of from 1 to 7 and comprising: i) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from 0.01 to 20 wt./wt. % of the solution; ii) at least one phosphorus-based acid in a concentration range of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution; iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of C8 to C16 alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal C8 to C 18 alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof, in a concentration range of from 0.02 to 5 wt./wt. % of the solution; and iv) a hydrotrope selected from an alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide and an alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide salt.

33. A solution according to claim 32 wherein the pH is from 1 to 3.

34. A solution according to claim 33 wherein said hydrotrope is a C6 alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide disodium salt.

35. A solution according to claim 33 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, phosphonic acids having 1 to 5 phosphonic acid groups, and mixtures thereof.

36. A solution according to claim 35 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, amino tri(methylene phosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyethylimino bis(methylene phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid), and mixtures thereof.

37. A solution according to claim 36 wherein the phosphorus-based acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid, and mixtures thereof.

38. A solution according to claim 33 containing dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid or an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt thereof.

39. A solution according to claim 33 further comprising an emulsifier.

40. A solution according to claim 39 wherein the emulsifier is a polyoxyethylene surfactant.

41. A solution according to claim 33 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 8.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

42. A solution according to claim 41 wherein the solution has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt./wt. % of the solution.

43. A solution according to claim 33 containing a corrosion inhibitor in a concentration of from 0.05 to 10.0 wt./wt % of the solution.

44. A solution according to claim 33 containing from 0.1 to 10 wt./wt. % of an alcohol comprising one to six carbon atoms.

45. A solution according to claim 33 containing a monocarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid in a concentration of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 wt./wt. %.