Evaluating Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) as a Topical Insect Repellent

A third-party laboratory is requested to conduct testing on hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for its potential as a safe and effective insect repellent. HOCl is a naturally occurring compound known for its antimicrobial properties and established dermal safety in medical and skincare use. This study aims to assess its insect repellency compared to traditional DEET-based formulations. The proposed testing includes efficacy against common insect species, duration of protection, dermal safety evaluations, and comparative analysis with standard insect repellents.

Test concentrations: 50–500 ppm HOCl solutions
Target insects: Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), ticks, flies, and other relevant species
Application method: Topical spray application
Duration testing: Repellency effectiveness over 2-8 hour periods
Safety assessment: Dermal irritation and sensitization testing
Comparison: Benchmarking against standard DEET-based repellants (10–30% concentration)