Alpha Tech Pet, Inc. - Product Detail Binder (January 2013)

CHLORINE DIOXIDE (ClO 2 )

 Though it has Chlorine in its name, the chemistry of ClO 2

is radically different from that

of Chlorine.

 ClO 2 is generally accepted to be more powerful, easier to use, and more environmentally friendly than equivalent Chlorine treatments.  ClO 2 is less corrosive than Chlorine and almost negligible at use concentrations.  As an electron receiver, ClO 2 is an oxidizer. However ClO 2 has the ability to absorb 5 electrons whereas Chlorine can only absorb 2 electrons. This makes Chlorine Dioxide chemically 2.5 times more active than Chlorine. Unlike other disinfectants acting dominantly on cell walls, ClO 2 penetrates into cells, displaying a high affinity for sulfur and hydrogen bonds of proteins destroying the organisms. In addition ClO 2 reacts directly with the amino acids and RNA of a cell, killing microorganisms even when they are inactive.  ClO 2 is effective against Giardia and Cryptosporidium oocysts, and all bacteria, viruses and spore formers at 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm. It is effective against anthrax at 20 ppm.  ClO 2 has a neutral pH.  Biocidal properties are not influenced by pH. As a result ClO 2 rapidly inactivates most microorganisms over a wide pH range.  Many researchers have cited the excellent biofilm removing properties of ClO 2 . Chlorine Dioxide effectively penetrates and disperses the “polysaccharide glue” of biofilm. By effectively killing and stripping off biofilm, bacteria are much slower to reestablish than when biofilm is left intact. This is something most other disinfectants have particular problems doing!  Unlike Chlorine, ClO 2 will not adversely react with organic compounds and as a result ClO 2 does not produce unwanted carcinogenic chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) and trihalomines. In fact, instead of combining with the aromatic rings of organic compounds, ClO 2 actually breaks these rings apart reducing levels of chlorinated organics. This makes ClO 2 use environmentally sparing! Also, because ClO 2 does not react or combine with organic compounds, much more of it remains available as a biocidal agent.  ClO 2 can be used for odor control and air disinfection, and was the principal agent used in the decontamination of buildings in the United States after the 2001 anthrax attacks.  ClO 2 is highly soluble in H 2 O, in fact it is 10 times more soluble than Chlorine, i.e., ClO 2 loves and looks for water/moisture. In neutral or near neutral solutions (4< pH <10) chlorine dioxide is relatively stable and exists as a free radical in water.  ClO 2 generation forms byproducts of chlorite and chlorate, decomposes in sunlight and is highly biodegrabable.