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Does Powerful Disinfectant Keep Its Promise?

Company Claims Its Product Kills 'Everything'

POSTED: 6:15 pm EST February 16, 2005

It's billed as one of the world's most powerful disinfectants and it promises to kill everything from the flu to HIV. But the manufacturer claims it's so non-toxic, you could drink it. What is the miracle cleanser? It's called Ecotru.

It's the latest weapon in the war on germs and a tiny biotech company called Envirosystems creates it.

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ECO TRU

The disinfectant claims to destroy viruses that cause pneumonia, salmonella, and the common cold.

The company claims Ecotru is 100 percent effective against hepatitis, E-coli, and HIV. But here's what really makes it different. The manufacturer claims it won't hurt your skin, eyes, and lungs. It also claims to be so safe, you could drink it, according to Lila's Good Health.

"You always thought of having to kill bad things, bad bugs, with highly toxic products. How can it be safe if it kills things? Well, this is," said Diana Hoffman, founder of Envirosystems.

How is that possible?

The company credits something called nano-emulsive particles. They are particles so small they can wiggle their way through the walls of a germ and kill it from within.

Envirosystems said the particles target tiny bacteria and viruses, and leave larger human and animal cells alone.

Ecotru is the only disinfectant on the market sold without warning labels, according to the company.

The only cautionary phrase is "Keep out of reach of children," which is a standard EPA requirement for all cleansers.

Lila's Good Health wondered if Ecotru was too good to be true?

So Local 4 took the bottle to Dr. Michael Harbut, the chief of occupational and environmental medicine at Providence Hospital.

"I do think it probably is very effective at killing things. Can you drink it? Can you splash it in your eyes? Can you put it on your skin without worry?," Harbut said.

Harbut said the active ingredient in the produce is Chloroxylenol and it has been around since 1959.

He believes it will kill what it says it will, but so will a lot of other products.

"A 10 percent bleach solution will kill the HIV virus," said Harbut.

The price is $19.95 for a 22-ounce bottle. That's far more than other household cleaners.

"I think for most household uses, it's probably pretty expensive and doesn't offer a lot of advantages over things which are already available," said Harbut.

Despite the cost, major companies are snapping it up. Boeing now recommends Ecotru to clean the inside of its planes and 30 airlines have placed orders.

Cruise lines are hopping on board, hoping to nix the Norwalk virus.

The most unusual use? Ecotru is now the cleanser of choice for the sick elephants' quarters at a Tennessee elephant sanctuary.

Ecotru doesn't sting if you get it on your hands, but it does have a slight odor, so chances are you would want to wash it off pretty quickly anyway.

It's not available in stores yet. You have to order it online.

Find out more by clicking on Ecotru.


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