There are no studies on cancer in humans exposed to chlorine dioxide or
Under the current guidelines (U.S. EPA, 1986), chlorine dioxide is classified as Group D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity because of inadequate data in humans and animals.
Chlorine dioxide can be effectively used to disinfect drinking water without much alteration of palatability and can also be used to destroy pathogenic microbes, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi from vegetables and fruits.
* Breathing Chlorine Dioxide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
About 43% of orally administered chlorine dioxide is eliminated in the urine and feces within 72 h. It is not excreted via the lungs.
After acute exposure, pulmonary function usually returns toward baseline within 7 to 14 days. Although complete recovery generally occurs, symptoms and prolonged pulmonary impairment may persist. Exposure to chlorine can lead to reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a chemical irritant-induced type of asthma.
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), also known as chlorine peroxide and chlorine(IV) oxide, is a low-boiling red-brown liquid and yellow-green gas. It has an odd number of valence electrons, which makes it an unusual stable free radical and therefore paramagnetic.
Quick Removal Time
Some reports indicate a timeframe of 5-12 hours for a full odor removal. That means your space will be odorless in less than a day!
Chlorine dioxide is known for its “selectivity” in oxidation reactions, unlike hydrogen peroxide which has a broader spectrum of reactivity.
Chronic health effects: The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to chlorine dioxide and can last for months or years: irritate the lungs; repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.
Applications of Chlorine Dioxide in Pool Maintenance
Surface Cleaning: Chlorine Dioxide can be used to disinfect pool surfaces, including tiles, pool decks, and changing rooms. This prevents the growth of algae and biofilms, which can harbour pathogens and make surfaces slippery and hazardous.
Animal studies have reported liver cancer in mice and male rats exposed to chlordane via ingestion. EPA has classified chlordane as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
The EPA has set the maximum concentration in the drinking water at 0.8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for chlorine dioxide and 1.0 mg/L for chlorite ion. The concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite ion in your drinking water, however, may be lower or higher than these levels.
It does not occur naturally in the environment. When added to water, chlorine dioxide forms chlorite ion, which is also a very reactive chemical. Chlorine dioxide is used as a bleaching agent at paper manufacturing plants, and in public water treatment facilities to make water safe to drink.
Mouthwash with Chlorine Dioxide
Chlorine dioxide has been used in drinking water to safely disinfect and deodorize it, so small amounts of the ingredient are usually harmless if ingested. If you're rinsing with a mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide be sure it does not exceed the recommended dose of .
Acute exposure at high levels causes dyspnea, violent cough, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, headache, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, and corneal burns, in addition to the same symptoms of low-level acute exposure. Chronic exposure to chlorine gas can lead to chest pain, cough, sore throat, and hemoptysis.
It is a disinfectant similar to bleach and is unsafe when used in large amounts. Chlorine dioxide kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Very small amounts are used in public water treatment facilities. At high doses, it can damage red blood cells and the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
It is a true keratolytic and anti-inflammatory, but is non-toxic to human tissue due to its unique mechanism of action.
How likely is chlorine to cause cancer? The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified chlorine as to its human carcinogenicity.
Symptomatic patients complaining of persistent shortness of breath, severe cough, or chest tightness should be admitted to the hospital and observed until symptom-free (pulmonary injury may progress for several hours).
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a provider. Do not give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.