Treatment FAQ

what does chlorine dioxide do in water treatment

by Dr. Tom Klein Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Because chlorine dioxide is very reactive, it is able to kill bacteria and microorganisms in water. About 5% of large water-treatment facilities (serving more than 100,000 persons) in the United States use chlorine dioxide to treat drinking water.

Full Answer

What are the dangers of chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide is a disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. But at high doses, it can damage red blood cells and the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

How much chlorine is needed to disinfect water?

• 1mg/L: Routine disinfection for clean water • 2 mg/L: Routine disinfection for reasonable clean water • 5 mg/L: Disinfection for tanks and pipes. 3. Choose the chlorine disinfectant used and read the amount of chlorine disinfectant to be added where the chlorine concentration required corresponds to the volume of the tank.

Can chlorine in drinking water be harmful?

Using or drinking water with small amounts of chlorine does not cause harmful health effects and provides protection against waterborne disease outbreaks. Are there any health issues associated with chlorine?

Is it safe to drink chlorine dioxide?

The chlorine dioxide itself is non-toxic. it turns into regular table salt inside the body within 2 hours after consumption. [1] If an individual is healthy and has no pathogens, cancer cells, or other toxic cells in their body, chlorine dioxide will increase levels of hypochlorous acid in the body, which boosts the immune system.

How much chlorine is in a clo2 solution?

What are the advantages of ClO2?

Is ClO2 a risk?

Is ClO2 corrosive?

Is chlorine dioxide a biocide?

Is chlorine dioxide safe for water treatment?

Is chlorine dioxide corrosive to iron?

See more

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Is chlorine dioxide used to purify water?

Overview. Chlorine dioxide is a gas. It is commonly used to disinfect drinking water. When used in very small quantities to disinfect water, it is safe and does not lead to health risks.

How much chlorine dioxide is safe in drinking water?

0.8 mg/LChlorine dioxide is frequently used to sterilize water and make it safe to drink. The maximum safe limit for chlorine dioxide in drinking water, according to the EPA, is 0.8 mg/L [7].

Is chlorine dioxide harmful to the body?

* Breathing Chlorine Dioxide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.

Can you drink chlorine dioxide water?

Consumption of chlorine dioxide solutions, such as MMS, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration. These products should not be consumed or given to someone to consume. The sale of these products as miracle cures is dangerous and has resulted in criminal convictions.

Is chlorine dioxide the same as hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer. In fact, it is more potent than chlorine (Cl2), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and potassium permanganate (KMnO4). Also, through catalysis, hydrogen peroxide can be converted into hydroxyl radicals (OH).

Is chlorine dioxide a bleach?

Disinfectants Chlorine Dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is mainly used as a bleach. As a disinfectant it is effective even at low concentrations, because of its unique qualities.

What is the difference between chlorine and chlorine dioxide?

What is the Difference Between Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide? Chlorine is a gaseous compound having the chemical formula Cl2. On the other hand, chlorine dioxide is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula ClO2. The melting and boiling points of chlorine gas are very low compared to chlorine dioxide.

Can you breathe chlorine dioxide?

Health Hazards Chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans. It is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Inhalation may cause irritation of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and severe breathing difficulties which may be delayed in onset.

How is chlorine dioxide used in water treatment?

According to EPA, chlorine dioxide is used “in public water-treatment facilities, to make water safe for drinking.” When chlorine dioxide is added...

Is chlorine dioxide a miracle cure for numerous diseases and illnesses?

No. Claims that chlorine dioxide is a treatment or cure for medical ailments such as autism, HIV, malaria, hepatitis viruses, influenza, common col...

Does chlorine dioxide remove odor?

In water, chlorine dioxide is used to remove unpleasant tastes and odors, as well as to kill algae and bacteria that produce some bad tastes and od...

CHLORINE DIOXIDE - Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD

Learn more about CHLORINE DIOXIDE uses, effectiveness, possible side effects, interactions, dosage, user ratings and products that contain CHLORINE DIOXIDE.

Treatment of Drinking Water with Chlorine Dioxide

Basic Chemicals 600-202 Sodium Chlorite 08/2018 Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Chlorine Dioxide Degradation Issues on Metal and Plastic Water Pipes ...

Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2) has been widely used as a disinfectant in drinking water in the past but its effects on water pipes have not been investigated deeply, mainly due to the difficult experimental set-up required to simulate real-life water pipe conditions.In the present paper, four different kinds of water pipes, two based on plastics, namely random polypropylene (PPR) and polyethylene of ...

What is the purpose of chlorine dioxide?

Without getting too complicated, the oxidizing agent in chlorine dioxide separates electrons from reactive molecules, effectively neutralizing bad tastes and odors when used for water treatment. As a strong bleaching agent, CIO2 works quickly to kill microorganisms, different bacteria, viruses, funguses, and spores.

What is chlorine dioxide used for?

There are many uses for chlorine dioxide. The primary use for chlorine dioxide is as a bleach in pulp and paper factories. However, it’s also used in ammonia plants, oil fields, the textile industry, and the electronic industry and is often applied to medical waste.

How does chlorine dioxide compare to chlorine?

So, how do chlorine and chlorine dioxide compare? When used at temperatures above 11°C, carbon dioxide is approximately ten times more soluble than chlorine. It is safer for the human body as it doesn’t form THMs. When used for water treatment, chlorine dioxide is also more effective at removing cryptosporidium and giardia, the two most common parasites in water that cause diarrhea.

What happens if you take chlorine?

After long-term, concentrated exposure to chlorine dioxide, one can develop acute bronchitis, shortness of breath, and permanent lung damage.

Is chlorine dioxide a compound?

Although it is usually used for bleaching, it’s also sometimes used for water treatment. In scientific terms, chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound: CIO 2. Although chlorine dioxide is a compound and chlorine is a naturally occurring element, chloride is often less harmful chlorine than when used appropriately.

Can chlorine dioxide cause chest pain?

According to the Australian government’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities, over-exposure to chlorine dioxide may irritate the nose and throat, coughing, chest pain, and eye sensitivity, especially around the light. Over-exposure to chlorine dioxide as gas can cause severe irritation to the lungs.

Is chlorine a carcinogen?

When reacting with organic matter present in water, chlorine can create chlor oform, which some argue is a carcinogen. Chlorine dioxide, however, cannot form chloroform and is known to be less irritating to the human body.

What is International Dioxcide?

International Dioxcide is the leading producer of chlorine dioxide precursor chemistries and ClO 2 generation systems in North America. We provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective water treatment solutions for commercial applications. Our skilled team of engineers, field technicians, and customer service personnel design, build, and implement custom ClO 2 solutions for each treatment site.

Is chlorine dioxide a biocide?

Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2) is a versatile, broad-spectrum biocide with a 75-year track record of safe and effective drinking water treatment, industrial water treatment, and wastewater treatment.

Does chlorine dioxide oxidize water?

Potable water plants may experience unpleasant tastes and odors in finished waters. Chlorine dioxide is effective in oxidizing low-threshold odor compounds at typical treatment dosages and has the advantage of not chlorinating organics.

Is chlorine dioxide a disinfectant?

Chlorine dioxide is one of four EPA-approved disinfectants for drinking water with CT values second only to ozone in biocidal efficacy, but without the ozonation by-products, high capital expense, or residual limitations. It also offers water treatment entities a quick and simple solution to DBP regulatory compliance without costly plant upgrades.

Does chlorine dioxide preoxide control genotoxicity?

Addresses Genotoxicity. Even in low-bromide waters, using Chlorine Dioxide pre-oxidation provided the best control for overall genotoxicity. This is evidence that ClO 2 can increase the quality of any surface water treatment facility where precursors for DBPs are present.

What is Chlorine Dioxide?

The credit of discovering Chlorine dioxide gas goes to Sir Humphrey Davy, who first produced it in 1814 by applying sulphuric acid on potassium chlorate, then adding hypochlorous acid to the mix. This process is still used to produce large amounts of the gaseous compound, only sodium chlorate is used in place of potassium chlorate for improved results.

How does chlorine dioxide affect bacteria?

Chlorine dioxide reacts with the organic substances in bacterial and microbial cells, interrupting many of its internal processes. It also combines with amino acids to hamper protein synthesis in the organism . Viruses are killed by chlorine dioxide combining with peptone, a water-soluble product of hydrolysis of proteins into amino acids, thus preventing protein synthesis in the cells. It is much more effective as a biocide than other gases like ozone or chlorine.

What is the best bleaching agent for paper?

Chlorine dioxide is an efficient bleaching agent – so it is used to turn wood pulp into paper. It whitens the pulp and lightens its color making it more suitable for printable paper. Today, almost 95% of kraft paper pulp is produced using chlorine dioxide in elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching processes.

What metals are neutralized by chlorine?

Metallic impurities like iron compounds, manganese and bromides are effectively neutralized with chlorine dioxide treatment. These metals are often found in complex compound forms in unpurified water – chlorine dioxide removes them effectively while not reacting with nitrogen, ammonia, amines and other oxidizable organic substances.

When was chlorine dioxide discovered?

Chlorine dioxide was discovered by Sir Humphrey in 1814. It is still produced by using similar methods. It is an unstable synthetic, green yellowish gaseous compound, turns into a reddish liquid at -59 degrees and reverts into the gas at 11 degrees. It is highly soluble in water, yet does not hydrolyze. There are many advantages of using chlorine dioxide over other gaseous purifying agents due to its stable nature in dissolved form. It is therefore used extensively in many water treatment and purification processes.

Does chlorine dioxide make water smell?

Chlorine dioxide does not give off any odor when dissolved in water in recommended quantities. Also, it removes other odorous substances such as phenols with can cause odor and taste problems in purified water.

Is chlorine dioxide soluble in water?

Chlorine was the gas of choice earlier for water purification treatments, due to its water-solubility and germicidal properties. Chlorine dioxide is ten times more soluble in cold water than chlorine making it more effective in any chlorine-related applications.

Why is chlorine dioxide added to water?

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlorine dioxide is added to drinking water to protect people from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

What is chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide is a disinfectant. When added to drinking water, it helps destroy bacteria, viruses and some types of parasites that can make people sick, such as Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the maximum concentration of chlorine dioxide in drinking water to be no greater ...

What is the maximum exposure limit for chlorine dioxide?

OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for chlorine dioxide at 0.1 parts per million (ppm), or 0.3 milligrams (mg) per cubic meters (m3) for workers using chlorine dioxide for general industrial purposes. OSHA also has a PEL for chlorine dioxide for the construction industry.

Is chlorine dioxide dangerous?

In its pure form, chlorine dioxide is a hazardous gas but most people are “ not likely ” to breathe air containing dangerous levels of chlorine dioxide as it rapidly breaks down in air to chlorine gas and oxygen. For workers who use chlorine dioxide, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) regulates the level of chlorine dioxide in workplace air for safety. OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for chlorine dioxide at 0.1 parts per million (ppm), or 0.3 milligrams (mg) per cubic meters (m3) for workers using chlorine dioxide for general industrial purposes. OSHA also has a PEL for chlorine dioxide for the construction industry. Chlorine dioxide is always made at the location where it is used.

Is chlorine dioxide safe for hospitals?

Researchers have found that at appropriate concentrations, chlorine dioxide is both safe and effective at helping to eliminate Legionella bacteria in hospital environments.

What is chlorine dioxide used for?

As one of several oxides of chlorine, it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching. The use of chlorine dioxide for pre-disinfection and oxidation of drinking water has increased significantly over the past 20 years.

What is the chemical name for chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2); advantages and disadvantages in the water industry. Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula ClO 2. This yellowish-green gas crystallizes as bright orange crystals at −59 °C. As one of several oxides of chlorine, it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching. ...

Does chlorine dioxide produce halogenated disinfection?

Disinfection with chlorine dioxide produces lower levels of disinfection by products compared to chlorine gas and does not produce halogenated organic disinfection by-products at levels of concern.

Can chlorine dioxide be produced with acid?

Chlorine dioxide production using chlorine gas or acid and hypochlorite generally requires an excess of chlorine or acid to maximize sodium chlorite conversion. If not controlled carefully, this can lead to untreated chlorite or excessive amounts of chlorine in the treated water.

What is chlorine dioxide used for?

It is a versatile alternative to chlorine and it can be used in many disinfection applications, including pasteurization equipment, poultry industry, cooling towers, swimming pools, water treatment and food & beverage processing.

Why is chlorine banned in the US?

It is also worth noting that chlorine has already been banned in certain parts of Europe and USA due to its hazardous characteristics. India has also restricted the use of chlorine in STPs since 2010, due to the threats it poses to human health.

What is the best disinfectant for waterborne pathogens?

Treating and disinfecting with chlorine and hypochlorite is a common method to sanitize and disinfect water and heavy equipments to reduce concentrations of waterborne pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, moulds and protozoa. It has been used as a disinfectant for over a century now.

Is chlorine dioxide the same as chlorine?

Chlorine dioxide is often mistaken for chlorine, but both the chemicals couldn’t be any further apart in terms of their efficiency and versatility. Let’s have a look at how Chlorine dioxide is different from chlorine and how it has the upper hand as a stronger and more effective biocide:

Does chlorine remove biofilm?

Biofilm removal – Studies and various tests carried out at CAMR and Porton Down have proved that chlorine does not remove biofilm whereas chlorine dioxidedoes so with ease.

Is sodium hypochlorite a biocide?

Chlorine/Sodium Hypochlorite : It’s convenient to purchase. It’s cheap. It’s easily available. It’s a well-known biocide and disinfectant. And it just about does the job. But is it the best and the safest to use in applications where the end-product might be consumed by humans?

Is chlorine dioxide pH dependent?

Broader pH range – Unlike chlorine, chlorine dioxide is not pH dependant as it is effective over a broad pH range from 2-10. This also means there is no need for additional chemicals to control pH.

How much chlorine is in a clo2 solution?

This keeps the CLO2 at a safe and stable concentration of less than 3,000 ppm, and proper mix ratios assure that there’s no excess chlorine.

What are the advantages of ClO2?

ClO2’s advantages are many. Precision dosing based on real-time feedback limits the amount of chemical used to only what is needed and enables dosage adjustments when water quality changes on the job.

Is ClO2 a risk?

Risk/Reward: ClO2 when properly handled, as Orion does, makes the risk almost non-existent, but the rewards are many: better treatment, less chemical used (reduced cost) and cleaner wells.

Is ClO2 corrosive?

ClO2 is less corrosive than many of the substances it treats —such as produced water containing high chloride levels, acid producing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide and more.

Is chlorine dioxide a biocide?

With the growth in use of chlorine dioxide as a biocide in the treatment of frac water, there has been an equal growth in certain myths about ClO2 in regards to safety and alleged corrosiveness.

Is chlorine dioxide safe for water treatment?

Here’s the truth about chlorine dioxide in water treatment. REALITY SHOW properly generated and dosed, chlorine dioxide is highly effective, fast acting and patently safe to people and frac iron, says Orion’s Gary Griesenbeck. Call Orion Water Solutions to learn more at 432-219-8100.

Is chlorine dioxide corrosive to iron?

Myth #2: Chlorine Dioxide is Corrosive to frac iron. ClO2 is less corrosive than an equally effective amount of bleach or peroxide.

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