Water Treatment
What Exactly is Chlorine Dioxide?
And How Does It Work?
Chlorine dioxide—not to be mistaken with chlorine—is a yellowish-green gas that rapidly decomposes when in contact with the air but remains a true gas at room temperature and a dissolved gas in a solution. Due to its high reactivity and its ability to work under a wide pH range, it remains an extremely versatile chemical with powerful antimicrobial properties and deodorizing capabilities with just small quantities. This basically means that less is more when it comes to using chlorine dioxide in comparison to other similar types of disinfecting chemicals. You don't need much to pack a punch.
Its unstable nature typically requires it to be produced on-site at industrial facilities for immediate use under strict guidelines in order to avoid dangerous levels of exposure to the general public. But, with a considerable amount of research & design, we've now made this chemical available to the baseline consumer in a cosmetically elegant way, to be used within the home, public spaces, or wherever you are on a day-to-day basis.
How does it differ from chlorine?
Chlorine, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), and hypochlorous acid (EOW, elctrolyzed water) tend to generate cancer causing by-products such as THMs, HAAs, and chloramine after disinfection without the same effectiveness at killing pathogens as chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide, especially at the level needed for effectiveness, produces fewer disinfecting byproducts (DBPs), and decomposes into chlorite, chlorate, and chloride—a human safe ion such as of that in table salt. (Note: chlorite and chlorate can pose health risks, however, at low and monitored chlorine dioxide concentrations, the levels are well within safety limits!)
Chlorine dioxide, in low concentrations, is harmless to humans while still capable of killing and inactivating viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. It rapidly breaks down, long enough to inactivate the pathogenic material, but not long enough to penetrate deeply into living tissue. Basically, it's gentle but effective on the skin at the appropriate concentrations!
chlorine vs chlorine dioxide (typically in water treatment)
View the other industrial applications of chlorine dioxide
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
Scientific journals, articles, and more resources to check out regarding chlorine dioxide & the latest developments in CLO2 knowledge and research as well as current nationwide health updates: