Tell Me More About Chlorine Dioxide

Chlorine dioxide is created by combining two elements, the first being sodium chlorite and the other acid, such as citric acid which is found in lemons. This produces a yellow-to-light-brown solution that generates a gas that smells very similar to chlorine. Chlorine dioxide possesses a chemical structure of two oxygen (O₂) atoms and one chlorine (Cl) atom.

Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Solution

Chlorine dioxide is the preferred water purification solution due to its ability to kill a broad spectrum of harmful if not deadly parasites, especially Guardia lamblia and cryptosporidium parvum parasites resistant to chlorine bleach and other bactericides or disinfecting agents.

Chlorine dioxide has a long history of defeating all known microorganisms and pathogens including but not limited to fungi and viruses on contact or within minutes of exposure. The EPA regulates the use of chlorine dioxide as a municipal water treatment in concentrations less than .8 PPM.

Commercial water systems benefit from chlorine dioxide’s ability to disinfect water, removing bacteria and algae, leaving a better tasting, and smelling result at the tap which is both pleasant and safe for consumption.

You may find chlorine dioxide as an ingredient in commercially available hygienic products including dental hygiene, like toothpaste and mouthwash, and is an excellent method of eliminating bad breath.

As an industrial disinfectant, you will find chlorine dioxide used for sanitization in a variety of industries, such as,

Oil	Gas	Food
Poultry	Meat	Fish
Seafood	Fruit	Vegetables
Dairy	Beverages	Paper and pulp
Clean room	Cosmetics	Hospitality

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

From surgical rooms and equipment, where the risk of the spread of disease is the highest, chlorine dioxide is the preferred agent for killing all known viruses. It is used for the sterilization of tools, surfaces, and lab equipment.

Water Disinfectant

Chlorine dioxide is commonly used in a two-part configuration to create a water purification solution on-site when necessary. In this manner, it is used by the military, search, and rescue, and research teams in the field where water sources may be questionable in nature.

Chlorine dioxide water purifier is also used by outdoorsmen, campers, and hikers for the same reason and is available for purchase as such in any outdoor sports supply house.

In Case of Emergency

The two-part chlorine dioxide configuration is commonly found in emergency kits to purify tap water if it has been compromised, or to purify standing water for drinking if no other water source is available.

Chlorine dioxide has been used at disaster sites, such as during Hurricane Katrina and during the United States Anthrax attacks.

Parasitic Insect Infestations

Chlorine dioxide is also effective in killing small parasitic insects such as bed bugs, head lice, body lice, scabies mites, pinworms, and their eggs. Industrial CDS foggers are used in hospitals and hospitality to commercially fumigate areas that may suffer from infestation of parasites.

Chlorine Bleach vs Chlorine Dioxide

In side-by-side tests, chlorine dioxide is 2.5 times more effective in killing pathogens than chlorine. Chlorine can destroy a cell by removing two electrons which is sufficient to destroy many types of cells. Chlorine dioxide on the other hand can rob five electrons which enables it to destroy more complex bacterial endospores and other disinfectant-resistant pathogens.

Also noteworthy, chlorine dioxide is attracted to harmful cells that are electrically charged in opposition to the human body and therefore does not affect beneficial bacteria or microorganisms suited for proper human development and continued health. Chlorine bleach does not make this distinction.

Not authorized to treat or cure any disease or ailment

The FDA has clearly prohibited the use of chlorine dioxide to treat or cure any disease and is only approved for the disinfecting of water to make it safe for human consumption.

Warning

While chlorine dioxide is authorized for disinfecting water, it is not authorized to treat or cure any disease.