The Details of CLO2

 

  • Chlorine Dioxide is a gas that can kill bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses and spores when in contact with these organisms from a few seconds to several minutes.  Chlorine dioxide is a disinfectant, virucidal, tuberculocidal, sterilant, and food contact surface sanitizer with some of our products approved as a direct food wash.  What makes chlorine dioxide different from other sanitizers/disinfectants is the WAY it destroys pathogens.  Because chlorine dioxide exists as a gas in water, it is basically "breathed in" by the cell instead of having to break down the cell wall.  This allows for a rapid, almost immediate kill.  Perhaps the biggest advantage of chlorine dioxide over other sanitizers is that bacteria cannot develop a resistance to it.  In order for most sanitizers to remain effective, you would need to continually increase the strength in order to achieve a consistent level of kill.  This is not the case with chlorine dioxide.

ATTRIBUTES OF CLO2

  • CLO2 is a gas that is very soluble in water and exists as a gas in water
  • CLO2 is a chemical oxidizer, but does not chlorinate (CLO2 has no chlorine residual)
  • CLO2 is a powerful biocide that is effective in air or in water over a wide pH range
  • CLO2 is a deodorizer
  • CLO2 can kill organisms in biofilms
  • CLO2 is non-corrosive to most equipment and surfaces
  • CLO2 does not form chlorinated by-products
  • CLO2 does not form chloramines
  • CLO2 flushes quickly from a system
  • CLO2 is a neutrally charged gas in water
  • CLO2 solution is non-carcinogenic, and has even been used to treat drinking water
  • CLO2 effectively controls slims, algae and biofilm
  • CLO2 does not react with ammonia or other cleansers and detergents
  • CLO2 has a higher microbial destruction potential over chlorine compounds

IN ADDITION

  • Regrowth of bacteria following destruction by chlorine dioxide is lower than with other sanitizers
  • Bacteria cannot develop a resistance to chlorine dioxide, unlike most sanitizers
  • Contact time for killing microbes is among the lowest of all sanitizers
  • Requires no special disposal for solution or packaging (Environmentally friendly)
  • Will not contribute to damaging the ozone layer (CLO2 is a heavier than air gas)

AND PERHAPS BEST OF ALL

  • NO RINSE REQUIRED---AIR DRYING RECOMMENDED (EVEN AS A DIRECT FOOD WASH OR FOOD CONTACT SURFACE SANITIZER WHEN USED ACCORDING TO LABEL)

Chlorine dioxide, a potent biocide, has been used for many years to disinfect municipal water and in numerous other large-scale applications. Only recently, however, has it been made in a dry form designed for use in smaller applications.