Chlorine dioxide has 2.6 times the oxidizing power of waterborne chlorine (from bleach), giving it a wide spectrum of sanitizing uses and making it extraordinarily effective against a host of bugs. Studies have shown that it produces as high as a 6-log reduction.
Works over a wide pH
The effectiveness of chlorine is very pH dependent, and is almost ineffective above pH8. Chlorine Dioxide is effective at all pH's below 12. Overall, ClO2 offers a safer and more effective solution for water treatment needs and is an excellent choice for those who prioritise safety and efficiency.
Chlorine dioxide is a gas used in very small quantities to disinfect water. 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.
Effective at varied pH
Therefore, chlorine loses its effectiveness with increasing pH levels (alkaline conditions). Chlorine dioxide does not react with water and remains a true gas in solution at different levels of pH. This means it is as effective at a lower to neutral pH as it is in an alkaline pH.
Chlorine disinfection is reliable and effective against a wide spectrum of pathogenic organisms. Chlorine is effective in oxidizing certain organic and inorganic compounds. Chlorination has flexible dosing control. Chlorine can eliminate certain noxious odors during disinfection.
How does chlorine disinfection work? Chlorine kills pathogens such as bacteria and viruses by breaking the chemical bonds in their molecules. Disinfectants that are used for this purpose consist of chlorine compounds which can exchange atoms with other compounds, such as enzymes in bacteria and other cells.
Disadvantages of using Chlorine Dioxide
There are some drawbacks to using ClO2 such as the storage and handling of the chemical precursors. ClO2 can be more volatile than NaOCl, but specialist training can easily manage this concern.
Besides killing dangerous germs like bacteria, viruses and parasites, chlorine helps reduce disagreeable tastes and odors in water. Chlorine also helps eliminate slime bacteria, molds and algae that commonly grow in water supply reservoirs, on the walls of water mains and in storage tanks.
What is a common use of chlorine dioxide? To disinfect surfaces; as a sterilant.
Boiling Is Best
Short of using a very high-quality water filter, this is the most reliable method for killing microbes and parasites. Bring water to a rolling boil and keep it simmering for at least several minutes. Add one minute of boiling to the initial 10 minutes for every 1,000 feet above sea level.
Chlorine dioxide is a size selective antimicrobial agent which can kill micron sized organisms rapidly but cannot make real harm to much larger organisms like animals or humans as it is not able to penetrate deeply into their living tissues.
It is the most common type of drinking water disinfection. Disinfection kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause disease and immediate illness. Chlorine is effective and continues to keep the water safe as it travels from the treatment plant to the consumer's tap.
It can be used for the disinfection of surfaces, equipment, and even the food products themselves. For instance, rinsing fruits and vegetables with a Chlorine Dioxide solution can significantly reduce the presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and other harmful microorganisms.
Disadvantages of Chlorine Dioxide
Chlorine dioxide's susceptibility to decomposition under sunlight exposure demands storage and usage in protected environments to maintain its effectiveness. The production of chlorine dioxide inevitably generates chlorine as a by-product.
Chlorine dioxide is an extremely effective disinfectant, which rapidly kills bacteria, viruses, and Giardia, and is also effective against Cryptosporidium. ClO2 also improves taste and odor, destroys sulfides, cyanides, and phenols, controls algae, and neutralizes iron and manganese ions.
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is used in water treatment because it is an effective oxidant, biocide, and disinfectant at relatively low concentrations. It also has minimal reactivity with organic matter and minimal byproducts are formed during the treatment process.
Chlorine is used to remove germs, such as bacteria and viruses, from drinking water, surfaces, swimming pools and spas, sewage, and industrial waste.
Possible controls to prevent surface contamination include engineering design, work practices, substitution, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Broad spectrum: should have a wide antimicrobial spectrum. Fast acting: should produce a rapid kill. Not affected by environmental factors: should be active in the presence of organic matter (e.g., blood, sputum, feces) and compatible with soaps, detergents, and other chemicals encountered in use.
Another advantage of chlorine is its broad microbicidal spectrum, while disadvantages include corrosive and irritant properties at high concentrations, potential surface staining, inactivation by organic matter, as well as rapid chlorine decay in solution for some chlorine compounds.
Chlorination is a great method of purification. The pros to using chlorine include: Almost all harmful bacteria and viruses are eliminated. This helps it pass the drinking water quality testing lab.
Typically, chlorine dioxide is used at a concentration of 25-50 parts per million (ppm) with 2 to 4 minutes of contact time for sanitizing calf feeding equipment, and at a concentration of 250-500 ppm with 5 to 10 minutes of contact time for disinfecting facilities and calf pens.
It is a true keratolytic and anti-inflammatory, but is non-toxic to human tissue due to its unique mechanism of action.
Chlorine dioxide is known for its “selectivity” in oxidation reactions, unlike hydrogen peroxide which has a broader spectrum of reactivity.