Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is widely recognized as a superior,
powerful but selective, oxidizing agent. Chlorine dioxide, unlike chlorine
does not react with water to form free chlorine nor react with most organic
compounds, consequently chlorinated organic compounds, trihalomethanes
(THM’s) and haloacetic acids (HAA’s) resulting from chlorine
dioxide use are minimal.
Chlorine dioxide has been in commercial and industrial use for
decades, and has received numerous registrations for many uses by the
USEPA since 1947. Additional approvals for a variety of uses have been
granted by the FDA and the USDA. Chlorine dioxide is well-recognized
and used throughout the world.
Chlorine dioxide gas is very effective at low concentrations
and is environmentally friendly because it decomposes rapidly into salt
and water and leaves no undesirable residues.
Chlorine dioxide
gas is highly soluble in water, and remains a “true gas” while
in an aqueous solution. Chlorine dioxide does not ionize to form weak
acids in water, consequently chlorine dioxide is effective across a broad
pH range, and has also been shown to be exceptionally effective against
biofilms, because ClO2 penetrates
the biofilm layers by molecular diffusion.
Chlorine dioxide micro-organism destruction is the result of
ClO2 penetrating
the organism’s cell wall and disrupting metabolic functions. This
mode of destruction is highly effective using low doses of ClO2.
Of all the possible choices, chlorine dioxide was selected by the United
States government to decontaminate the Hart Senate Office building and
postal facilities suspected of anthrax contamination in 2001.
Because chlorine dioxide is a gas, is effective at low doses,
and breaks down rapidly into innocuous salts and water, it is often chosen
over liquid disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide vapor, formaldehyde, ethylene
oxide and other disinfectant technologies as the most effective means
of disinfection with the least impact on the surroundings and on the
environment. |
