A) Current Biosecurity Gap — Airborne Exposure

Racehorses inhale approx. 100,000 L of air per day (per 500 kg horse).

That airflow routinely carries respiratory pathogens, dust-borne allergens, fungal spores, endotoxins, ammonia, and organic particulates—all contributors to:

  • Lower-airway inflammation (RAO/IAD)
  • Coughing / nasal discharge
  • Reduced performance & recovery
  • Cross-exposure during sales movements

Winter multiplies risk

Independent monitoring in the UK/EU shows indoor stable air quality can deteriorate by up to 5× in winter, driven by:

  • Longer stabling hours, decreased ventilation
  • Higher humidity → better pathogen survival
  • Retained fine dust/particulates
  • Increased viral persistence in cool, low-UV environments

Result: materially higher respiratory challenge during winter sales prep & transit.

B) Disinfectants ≠ Airspace Protection

Conventional hygiene (QACs, hydrogen peroxide, Ag-blends, detergents) provides near-term surface kill only; it does not protect the airspace where primary respiratory risk resides.

Limitations of conventional disinfectants

  • Surface-only activity; non-functional in air
  • Rapidly inactivated by dust/organic load
  • No binding of airborne pathogens/allergens or odour VOCs
  • Leaves residue concerns in live-animal settings

Duration caveat (expanded):

  • QAC residues are only reliably active while wet—typically hours—and performance declines rapidly with organic matter.
  • Hydrogen peroxide (incl. silver-stabilised blends) remains active for ≤ 1–2 hours, often less at typical dilutions e.g. Equine Biogenie.
  • Regulatory context: under EU BPR 528/2012, efficacy is recognised under wet-contact conditions; dry-film residual claims are not accepted.
  • DEFRA guidance cautions against reliance on persistent use of QAC based products combined with residues they produce in live-animal environments.

Sentinel-species exposure evidence (relevance of residues): Li / Lee / Kannan (2024) analysed 27 QACs and found:

  • QACs present in indoor dust and air
  • Systemic uptake in pets (urine/faeces)
  • Prior detection in human plasma and breast milk
  • Associations reported with respiratory issues, dermatitis, immune dysregulation, reproductive toxicity, lipid metabolism disruption

This underscores the case for minimising cationic residue films and adopting non-residual airspace control.

Bottom line: Surface disinfectants help—but only briefly, and only on surfaces. They do not protect the airspace.

C) Biofresh — The Missing Layer

Biofresh employs cucurbituril supramolecular chemistry (University of Birmingham platform) with trace silver to bind & neutralise airborne viruses, dust-allergens, fungal spores, ammonia-linked VOCs, and odours.

Key advantages

  • Works in the air + on local surfaces; continues working after dry-down
  • Effective across normal stable humidity/temperature
  • Non-oxidising, non-corrosive, residue-light; safe in occupied stables (no PPE)
  • Complements existing cleaning (not a replacement)

Protocol (when QACs are also used):

Apply QAC → allow full dry/ventilation (rinse if practical) → apply Biofresh.

Do not co-apply fresh QAC films can neutralise Biofresh’s encapsulation before action begins.

Why winter action is timely : Because stable air quality may drop up to 5× in winter, adding an airspace biosecurity layer now:

  • Mitigates increased airborne load (dust/spores/viruses)
  • Supports high-value horses during peak sales turnover
  • Reduces irritant burden from retained dust/ammonia

Priority deployment areas

Sales-prep boxes • High-turnover/transient stabling • Arrival/quarantine barns • Transport boxes •Vetting & indoor walkways

 

Summary

Conventional disinfectants protect surfaces only and for short periods. Biofresh adds the missing airspace protection layer, which becomes materially more important during winter - Q4 to end of Q1 , and aligns with reduced-residue, safer-use objectives.

 

Reference anchors for footer/appendix

  • EU BPR 528/2012 — wet-contact efficacy basis; dry-film residual claims not accepted.
  • DEFRA — cautions on persistent QAC residues in live-animal settings.
  • University of Birmingham (2022) — cucurbituril platform, >99.9% viral neutralisation (lab).
  • Li Z-M, Lee C, Kannan K. Sci Total Environ. 2024. PMCID: PMC10932922 — QACs in indoor dust/air; systemic uptake in pets; prior detection in human plasma/breast milk; associated health concerns.