Bradenton chiropractor says he makes the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of sanitizers. It costs $50

Health officials are stressing the importance of clean hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, hand sanitizer and cleaning products are becoming harder to find.

Hopeful shoppers are starting to notice a sign outside of Gilbert Chiropractic Clinic, across the street from Blake Medical Center. “Sanitizer for sale,” it stated on Friday, directing readers to a phone number.

The owner, Ronald Gilbert, creates and sells the product in his clinic. Gilbert said it filled a local need and made the community a safer place, noting his recent sale to a senior living community, but other would-be patrons were frustrated after learning the cost.

When it comes to individual sales, Gilbert said he charged $50 for 5 ounces of sanitizer — a discount over his normal price.

“Some people get offended because they think it’s alcohol-based sanitizer,” he said.

Gilbert created the sanitizer by running salt water through a machine in his Bradenton facility, which houses the chiropractic business and his other venture, Ultimate Wound Solutions. The end result is hypochlorous acid, a mild ingredient used in cleaning and health care products.

The same ingredient is found in several products that were reviewed and cleared by government agencies. Gilbert’s product, sold under the name “Integuron,” was not among those products.

Though his machinery was tested for safety and reliability, his product was never tested by a laboratory, government agency or other independent body, according to Friday’s interview. All testing is done in-house, Gilbert said, displaying one test kit for pH levels and another for chlorine content.

He said the sanitizer was potent, yet safe, making it superior to other products. Gilbert’s company advertised a sanitizer that works on both tabletops and human bodies, including the hands, eyes, nose and mouth.

“You can have a Rolls-Royce or you can have a Hyundai, not that I want to bash Hyundai, because it’s actually a pretty good car,” he said.

The main ingredient, hypochlorous acid, is found in various eye and skin care products. The acid is also a key ingredient in several cleaning products, but each product falls under a different government agency, depending on its use.

Surface cleaners — such as Lysol and Clorox — are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, while skin treatments are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Neither has reviewed Gilbert’s product. He said it was expensive and time consuming to seek FDA approval, and that high-quality equipment and production standards were more important.

“I use it on wound patients very successfully, and have for years,” he said. “You can use it on animals. You can use it on cuts, burns. You can use it for conjunctivitis in the eyes.”

In a post on Facebook, his business urged customers to protect their families with Integuron sanitizer. According to one post, the product was used to sanitize Gilbert’s clinic, along with its customers.

“Every one of our patients are treated with Hypochlorous acid before they enter/receive treatment to minimize or eliminate spread of the virus,” it states.

When asked if his product was effective against the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness, he said, “Yes.” When asked for verification, he referenced a company based in Volusia County.

Gilbert said the company made a sanitizer based on EPA standards, and that his own product was comparable.

“As far as it being able to kill germs, being able to kill viruses and bacteria and spores and mold — it does,” he said.

The EPA maintains an ongoing list of products for use against the novel coronavirus. As of Thursday evening, the agency approved half a dozen products that listed hypochlorous acid as their key ingredient, including a brand called CleanSmart.

Though it was out of stock on Friday afternoon, Walmart listed a two-pack of CleanSmart surface cleaner on its website, totaling 46 ounces for less than $13.

The company also sold a three-pack of hand cleanser on Amazon, totaling 6 ounces for $12.

“CleanSmart chemistry is approved by the FDA for the use of minor skin irritations,” the company said on its website. It said the product also “cleanses away germs on skin.”

Gilbert had a small bottle of the company’s disinfectant spray in his office, something he received from a customer. The difference in prices — $12 for 6 ounces of CleanSmart hand cleanser and $50 for 5 ounces of Integuron sanitizer — was not lost on Gilbert.

“Yes, there is a stark difference, I’ll give you that,” he said.

Their operations may differ in size, and they might use different production methods or packaging materials, Gilbert speculated. The ultimate goal, he said, was to make a quality product, help the community and cover overhead costs.

“We have a pandemic going on,” he continued. “I’m not trying to capitalize on people’s fears. I’m trying to provide a product that’s going to help people survive.”