Chlorine dioxide is a real gas at room temperature. As a real gas, it expands to uniformly fill the space it is contained within, regardless of the effect of gravity. This gives it the natural ability to contact all surfaces within a space in equal concentrations, guaranteeing an even level of kill throughout the space. Its small molecular size coupled with this distributive ability allows the gas to penetrate even the smallest cracks and crevices in walls and floors and reach all surfaces of food processing equipment.

Chlorine dioxide has the ability to destroy bacterial spores, thus confirming that all other microbial life present in the treatment area has been eliminated. Chlorine dioxide works by penetrating the cell wall of microorganisms and disrupting the pathogen’s metabolic functions, thus immediately and permanently eliminating the problem at its source. It is a powerful biocide at concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm over a wide pH range, does not produce hazardous by-products, and is more effective than hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, quaternary ammonia and sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach). Studies from the FDA and EPA show that chlorine dioxide is effective in eliminating over 20 of the most common harmful pathogens, including Salmonella, Listeria, E Coli, Clostridia, B anthracis (anthrax), and several species of fungal molds and yeasts

No Residue Immediately Resume Production

Unlike some other fumigants such as hydrogen peroxide which leaves a residue and is also a human carcinogen, chlorine dioxide gas does not leave a residue, it is not a carcinogen. Some chemical fumigants are applied using a dry fog and/or vapor decontamination method which leave a residue, necessitating a post-treatment cleaning, and often requiring an extended period of time prior to resuming plant operations to allow the chemical concentrations to dissipate and reach levels for human habitation. This residue is attributed to the nature of these products and their composition. Chlorine dioxide does not leave a residue and does not require post-treatment cleaning. Processing plants can immediately be re-occupied and begin production once gas levels have reached the human habitation level of 0.1 parts-per-million, typically within 60 minutes of gas cessation.

Corrosive A typical chlorine dioxide decontamination treatment exposure is often in the range of 1,000 – 1,500 ppm-hours (concentrations of ~200 ppm for five to eight hours). CLO2 Sterilization partners has performed rigorous testing of stainless-steel exposure to chlorine dioxide and has shown no signs of corrosion with concentrations as high as 900,000 ppm-hours (50,000 ppm for a period of 18 hours). The exception to any evidence of corrosion on stainless-steel would be due to poorly passivated welds, and/or other deposits resident on the stainless steel which may show signs of oxidation. Chlorine dioxide itself has been shown to be compatible with stainless steel and several other metals through exposure studies using the pure, gaseous and liquid form. The concern about chlorine dioxide corrosion is most likely due to confusing it with chlorine or chlorine gas. Also, some liquid chlorine dioxide solutions are produced by mixing a sodium chlorite base with an acid (most commonly citric acid) which creates a liquid chlorine dioxide solution as well as chlorous acid and acidified sodium chlorite. It is these acidic by-products which can cause corrosion of metals. Sodium hypochlorite, paracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are much more corrosive than chlorine dioxide. Other than unpainted mild steel, which may show signs of light oxidation, no other metals will be affected by chlorine dioxide.

Remains Active in Water Chlorine dioxide does not react with water, has a neutral pH in water, and stays as chlorine dioxide within the water. This enables it to kill organisms within the water, as well as any on the surface beneath the water. This trait is unique to chlorine dioxide among decontaminating agents. When mixed with water, chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) forms hydrochloric acid. Hydrogen peroxide, by contrast, will dilute in water and cannot kill organisms within or beneath the water.

Destroys Biofilms Biofilms form when bacteria adhere to surfaces in moist environments by excreting a slimy, glue-like substance. A biofilm community almost always consists of rich mixtures of many species of bacteria and other microorganisms. This biofilm matrix develops complex three-dimensional, resilient, attached microbial ‘communities’, increasing the difficulty of decontamination. Rigorous studies, has shown that treating a log-8 biofilm with chlorine dioxide will achieve sterilization within four hours. A log-8 biofilm is far in excess of what would be expected on a regularly cleaned surface or partially wet surface in any environment. NOT Explosive When Fumigating The concentration at which chlorine dioxide gas is used for fumigation is approximately 1,000 times less than the explosive threshold. This makes the risk of explosion ZERO as explosive concentrations cannot be achieved during the fumigation process. There is some truth to the notion that chlorine dioxide can be explosive. Chlorine dioxide, if compressed, may be explosive and this is the reason why it must be created at its point of use. CLO2 Sterilization creates pure chlorine dioxide gas on-site using two different and distinct methods and does not incorporate any compressed gases in any form, in the fumigation process. NOT a Carcinogen There is no evidence that chlorine dioxide is a carcinogen. Chlorine dioxide can be found in toothpastes and mouthwashes. It is used to treat municipal drinking water supplies and to rinse various fruits, vegetables, and meats. Both the EPA and FDA have approved the use of chlorine dioxide for use in these instances. Chlorine Dioxide versus Other Treatment Agents CLO2 Sterilization Inc, uses a 99.5% pure chlorine dioxide gas, which is scientifically and statistically less corrosive than hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, ozone and sodium hypochlorite (bleach).

Chlorine dioxide gas is used every day to decontaminate rooms, suites, and other spaces. Hydrogen peroxide is most often injected as a vapor into the space being decontaminated. Unlike consumer use of 3% hydrogen peroxide, decontamination services using this chemical typically deploy a 35% hydrogen peroxide / 65% water composition. When the hydrogen peroxide vapor condenses, the condensate’s hydrogen peroxide concentration can increase from 35% to almost 80%. This increase in concentration adds to hydrogen peroxide’s corrosive nature, as noted in its incompatibility with some epoxy finishes on walls and flooring as well as other materials. Chlorine dioxide has an odor similar to a swimming pool and can be sensed (smelled) below the 0.1ppm threshold, acting as an alert in case of a leak, as personnel are aware of the leak at very low levels below the human habitation level, allowing them to act upon it as they deem fit (either aborting the process or fixing the leak). By contrast, hydrogen peroxide is odorless, and any leakage cannot be easily identified by nearby personnel, allowing for leakage and exposure to personnel to continue and worsen. Another property which aids in the use of the chlorine dioxide process is its status as a real gas. Chlorine dioxide does not condense on surfaces; therefore, in case of emergency the gas can be aerated down to safe human habitation levels quickly. Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid at room temperature and therefore condenses on surfaces. This condensate takes much longer to dry and aerate from a space, needing hours if not overnight before it is safe for human habitation. This means that in the event of leakage, chlorine dioxide gas can be removed making the area safe for human habitation, while hydrogen peroxide may take until the next day. Summary Chlorine dioxide gas and chlorine dioxide aqueous solutions, when applied effectively, can be more effective in killing harmful bacteria, mold and spores and far less corrosive than many other fumigants. Due to its nature as a gas that does not condense on surfaces, a plant can be re-occupied, and operations can resume immediately upon aeration and reducing gas level to the 8-hour safety level of 0.1 ppm or less, often within no more than a few hours of cessation of gas production. A significant added value in using CLO2 Sterilization Inc, is our capability to cost effectively deploy a chlorine dioxide decontamination engagement for areas ranging from small electric cabinets to entire plants. Additionally, CLO2 Sterilization can train your operators in the deployment of CLO2 Gas, our 99.5% pure chlorine dioxide product, for areas up to several thousand cubic feet, helping you cost-effectively manage your sanitation and decontamination needs.