Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) is an oxidizing agent with antimicrobial, sterilizing, and deodorizing properties. It is an environmentally preferred replacement for chlorine because it does not produce toxic pollutants such as trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other chlorinated organic compounds when interacting with organic material in the water environment or food processing plant.
Antimicrobial
Chlorine Dioxide is a powerful disinfectant that can kill bacteria and fungi by oxidizing their cell membranes. It also prevents and removes biofilm (a film of polysaccharide that protects and supports bacterial colonies) on water and surfaces and is very effective against pathogenic bacteria such as E. Coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas.
The antimicrobial properties of CDS are attributed to its unique one-electron exchange mechanism, which allows it to attack the electron-rich centers of organic molecules. This selectivity allows chlorine dioxide to effectively kill bacteria and fungi without harming humans or animals.
This contrasts with other biocides, which are usually ineffective against biofilm. This is because most of these biocides cannot penetrate the polysaccharide layer of the biofilm, which inhibits their reaction with inert sugars, allowing bacteria to thrive and grow.
Oxidizing
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) is an oxidizing agent which removes electrons from other compounds during chemical reactions. However, it is essential to note that ClO2 only takes one electron at a time in a neutral ambient, such as swimming pools or drinking water.
Therefore, chlorine dioxide is not able to react with many organic compounds. This is why it is not often used to disinfect plants.
When using chlorine dioxide, it is essential to ensure that it has been manufactured on-site and that the governing bodies’ guidance has produced it. It is also recommended that the product label be permanently adhered to.
Chlorine dioxide is commonly useusedoxidizing biocide in treawhenngter and water. It is effective in treating a variety of contaminants, including nitric oxide from coke kilns and cyanide compounds in processes such as pickle liquor neutralization, gold and silver ore refining, and blast furnace stack gas scrubbing.
Sterilizing
Chlorine Dioxide is a powerful disinfectant and biocide that destroys bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It sanitizes surfaces and spaces in food processing, healthcare, and pharmaceutical facilities.
It is also an oxidant for wastewater treatment and a deodorizer in air scrubbers at animal byproduct (rendering) plants.
The sterilizing power of chlorine dioxide is based on its ability to penetrate the cell wall of microorganisms and disrupt their metabolism. It does this by interacting directly with disulfide bonds in the amino acids and RNA of cells.
It also kills microorganisms even when they are inactive. This is because it places an oxidative load on their cells. This means that they cannot build up any resistance against it.
Deodorizing
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) is a powerful oxidizing agent widely used in water treatment and other industrial operations. It can be applied in various ways to destroy odor sources, but the most effective is by releasing a ClO2 vapor.
When dissolved in water, the ClO2 vapor quickly fills an area and destroys odors quickly. This can be an essential advantage for restoration professionals because it allows them to scale up for larger jobs and use their air movers more effectively while leaving no harmful residue behind.
Chlorine Dioxide is an excellent deodorizer that eliminates lingering, unpleasant odors such as animal urine, mold, and mildew. It also kills odor-causing bacteria that have evolved to resist other disinfectants. Restoration pros can solve wide-spectrum contamination and odor challenges better than any other chemical alternative.