What is Chlorine Dioxide?
Sep . 25, 2024 15:35 Back to list

What is Chlorine Dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) is a globally recognized, advanced, broad-spectrum, high-efficiency, safe, and environmentally friendly disinfectant. It has advantages such as effective sterilization, rapid action, minimal residue, and no development of antibiotic resistance. For example, the concentration of chlorine dioxide required to kill heterotrophic bacteria is only half that of chlorine gas (Cl₂), and its effectiveness against E. coli is over five times greater than that of Cl₂. When the concentration of chlorine dioxide in the air reaches 4 mg/m³, it can eliminate over 99.99% of various bacteria, viruses, and molds, while also neutralizing odors and being non-irritating to humans.

 

Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classify it as an A1-level high-efficiency disinfectant.

 

Safety Knowledge About Chlorine Dioxide

 

Q: What are the concentration standards for chlorine dioxide?

A: Chlorine dioxide gas has an irritating smell, and excessive inhalation can harm the respiratory system. The chlorine dioxide used for disinfection typically refers to stable formulations in powder, tablet, or liquid form. Chlorine dioxide solutions at low concentrations (commonly 20-200 ppm) are not harmful to humans. However, concentrations of 2000 ppm or higher can corrode metals and have a strong odor, which can also decolor fabrics. Therefore, protective masks and clothing should be worn during handling.

 

Q: Is chlorine dioxide safe for humans?

A: Chlorine dioxide can kill bacteria and viruses without harming humans and animals. This is because bacterial cells differ significantly from human cells. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are prokaryotic organisms, with most enzyme systems near the cell membrane, making them vulnerable to chlorine dioxide attacks. In contrast, human and animal cells are eukaryotic, with enzyme systems deep within cellular organelles, and their protective systems can provide electrons to reduce chlorine dioxide, preventing damage.

Chlorine dioxide above 0.02 ppm is effective against microorganisms while being safe and harmless to humans.

 

Q: What is the safety profile of chlorine dioxide?

A: It is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and does not have the three "causes" (mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects).

 

History of Chlorine Dioxide

 

Discovery: Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) was first discovered in 1811 by American chemist Humphry Davy. At normal temperature and pressure, it appears as a yellow-green to orange-yellow gas. In the 1940s, it began to be used for disinfection in food processing, bleaching in paper making, and water treatment chemicals.

Development: In 1983, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended that the concentration of trihalomethanes in drinking water must be below 0.1 mg/L, advocating for chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant. Chlorine dioxide is classified by the WHO as an A1-level disinfectant and is recognized as an ideal successor to traditional chlorine disinfectants. Currently, developed countries such as the U.S., Western Europe, and Canada widely use chlorine dioxide in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and public health environments.

Introduction to China: Chlorine dioxide was introduced to China in the 1980s. In 1978, the Guangdong Health Supervision Department approved its use for food disinfection and preservation. In 1990, Shanghai health authorities approved its use for water treatment and food processing. The Ministry of Health of China also stated in 2000 that chlorine dioxide would gradually replace chlorine gas for drinking water disinfection.

 

Specific Applications of Chlorine Dioxide

 

Drinking Water Disinfection: Nearly all water treatment products plants in the U.S. and Western Europe use chlorine dioxide instead of Cl₂, resulting in better-tasting, safe drinking water with reduced toxicity and no carcinogenic byproducts.

Swimming Pool Water Disinfection: As swimming becomes increasingly popular, the quality of pool water is crucial. Chlorine dioxide eliminates irritating odors, especially in indoor pools, improving air quality and water clarity.

Aquaculture Disinfection: As a fourth-generation disinfectant, chlorine dioxide significantly reduces pathogenic microorganisms in aquaculture without harming beneficial plankton.

Indoor Space Disinfection and Formaldehyde Removal: A 2% chlorine dioxide solution can release over 12% chlorine dioxide gas, effectively killing bacteria and viruses while neutralizing odors, outperforming traditional methods in efficiency and safety.

Fruits and Vegetables Disinfection: Chlorine dioxide is widely praised in agriculture for effectively killing various fungi and viruses without leaving toxic residues, making it ideal for preserving food.

Air Disinfection: Utilizing chlorine dioxide's strong oxidative properties, specialized products for air disinfection are now available, offering odorless and residue-free environments.

 

Chlorine dioxide is not only a broad-spectrum, environmentally friendly disinfectant but also significantly effective in food preservation, odor removal, and various applications. Recognized by the WHO, EPA, and Chinese health authorities, it is a new generation green disinfectant that is non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, and highly effective. As one of the key water treatment chemicals supplier in the industry, it is acknowledged for its safety profile, making it a valuable tool in modern sanitation practices.

Share
whatsapp mailto
anim_top
组合 102 grop-63 con_Whatsapp last

If you are interested in our products, you can choose to leave your information here, and we will be in touch with you shortly.


en_USEnglish