Chlorine dioxide gas is one of the most gentle decontaminating agents
available. Our process generates
a pure chlorine dioxide gas which is used everyday to decontaminate
sensitive materials ranging from laboratory scales, microscopes
and computers, to complex machinery and entire assembly lines.
Chlorine dioxide is Not Corrosive
Many people are familiar with liquid chlorine dioxide solutions and
their corrosive nature. However, these corrosive properties are
due to the manner in which these solutions are generated and not the
actual chlorine dioxide itself. Many liquid solutions are generated
from a
typical reaction as follows:
Base + Water + Activator → Acidified sodium chlorite +
Chlorous acid + Chlorine dioxide
For most chlorine dioxide liquid solutions, it is these two acidic
byproducts, acidified sodium chlorite and
chlorous acid that give the solution its low pH (typically around 3) and
corrosive properties. However, pure
chlorine dioxide of the type generated by ClorDiSys has a non-corrosive
neutral pH of 7 when dissolved in water and is gentle on
materials. The table below shows common decontaminating agents and
their oxidation (corrosion) potential. A higher oxidation potential
means that
the agent is a stronger oxidizer and thus more corrosive. As can be
seen, chlorine dioxide is less corrosive than most
of the common decontaminating agents.
For more information about the material compatibility of chlorine dioxide gas, download our Material Compatibility Brochure
Oxidation Potential
As shown in the table above, chlorine dioxide has a relatively low
oxidation (corrosion) potential, 1.9 times lower than hydrogen peroxide.
Yet, due to the prevalent use of liquid chlorine dioxide and its
corrosive properties, a stigma exists in which chlorine
dioxide gas is also considered corrosive. Liquid chlorine dioxide’s
corrosive properties stem from its generation chemistry in which
multiple acidic components are involved. It is these acids that give
the liquid its corrosive qualities, not the chlorine
dioxide itself. Our pure chlorine dioxide gas is gentle on materials
and should not be considered in the same was as liquid
chlorine dioxide products.
Myth: Chlorine dioxide gas forms hydrochloric acid when it contacts water
Fact: Chlorine dioxide gas DOES NOT
react with water. It stays
as a dissolved chlorine dioxide gas in water much like how carbon
dioxide is dissolved in carbonated beverages.
This unique property allows it to stay effective in solution and kill
microorganisms both in the water and on surfaces this water touches.
Chlorine dioxide is different than chlorine (which does react with water
to form hydrochloric acid) in the same was as carbon dioxide is
significantly different than elemental carbon or how diamonds are not at
all similar to graphite.
Hydrochloric acid CANNOT and WILL NOT be formed in water when using ClorDiSys' pure chlorine dioxide.
Myth: Chlorine dioxide corrodes stainless steel
Fact: Our pure chlorine dioxide DOES NOT corrode stainless steel. Stainless steels can be corroded by the acidic
byproducts generated along with other manufacturer's chlorine dioxide products.
Myth: Chlorine dioxide gas is not safe on electronics
Fact: Chlorine dioxide gas is safe on most electronics.* We have decontaminated
many computers and other electrical devices with no adverse affects. In fact, chlorine dioxide gas was recently chosen to
decontaminate the inner chambers of a $3,000,000 Transmission Electron Microscope over hydrogen peroxide vapor for
its superior material compatibility as proven through manufacturer testing. Below are test results from an EPA study
showing the amount of computer failures after sterilant exposure over a period of 6 months.
The US EPA shows that Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is more corrosive
than Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2).
Computers were exposed to chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide by the US EPA over the course of 6 months.
Chlorine dioxide had the lowest amount of failures
Computers were tested ON and OFF
|
|
H202 ON (S)
|
11
|
H202 OFF (S)
|
6
|
H202 ON (B)
|
7
|
H202 OFF (B)
|
4
|
Control
|
4
|
ClO2 ON
|
2
|
ClO2 OFF
|
3
|
Ref. Snyder, Emily, Indoor
and Outdoor Decontamination Presentation at EPA Region 9 / ORD
Homeland
Security Research Workshop, July 14, 2011 San Francisco, CA.
*Over
time, oxidizers will oxidize; ferrous metals and other sensitive
materials may be affected. This goes for all oxidizers, including both
chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. As shown in the chart at the
top of this page however, chlorine dioxide has a lower oxidation
potential then other common agents.