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Chlorine Dioxide

This compound was first described and produced by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1811. Initial methodologies for production and delivery could best be described as hazardous. However, recent innovations in safe and efficient production and delivery mechanisms have allowed "the ideal biocide" to be used in a wide variety of applications.

LMEntech Ireland Ltd. offer a range of unique chlorine dioxide delivery technoilogies including hazard free generation units, stabilised solutions, tablets & powders and even disposable sanitary wipes.

The potential for these technologies is far reaching and includes applications in healthcare, the food & beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, cooling systems ……. in fact anywhere that microbial contamination may be an issue and anywhere that water is used.

Chlorine dioxide may even be used to control odorous emmisions.

Extensive testing, including much by Environmental Protection Agencies, has confirmed the safety of Chlorine Dioxide - it is safe to use on human and animal tissues and is now being used in oral hygiene, patient wound care and as part of drinking water hygiene programmes.

Chlorine Dioxide assists in protecting the environment, and us, from harmful chemicals, dangerous bacteria, and, often carcinogenic, by-products of alternative disinfection methods. Within some industries Chlorine Dioxide has led to significant and documented improvements in the surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Advantages of ClO2 include

it is effective against a wide variety of bacteria, yeasts, viruses, fungi, protozoa, spores, moulds, mildews, etc. Particularly effective at killing Giardia, Cryptosporidium & Legionella sps.
Chlorine Dioxide is non-toxic and non-irritating
exhibits rapid kill of target organisms - often in seconds
effective over a very wide pH range
Specifically targets bonds that are only present in harmful or odorous molecules or species. No chlorine dioxide is used up in reaction with harmless substances. This means that it is a highly effective biocide even at very low concentrations
effective over a huge temperature range - up to 80°C in water
Chlorine Dioxide is completely biodegradable in the environment
Unlike many other biocides, such as chlorine, it does not react with primary organics to form harmful trihalomethanes (THM's)
eradicates biofilm - regular dosing of chlorine dioxide prevents recurrence of biofilms which act as breeding grounds for pathogenic bacteria
deadlegs are parts of water systems that are seldom used. Conventional biocides depend on water flow for distribution around the system. However, because of its unique chemical structure, chlorine dioxide exists as a free gas in solution thus enabling it to move against currents in a water system. This means that chlorine dioxide can move into deadlegs and prevent the proliferation of harmful organisms.

FAQ's
(Frequently asked questions and straight answers)

Q. Is Chlorine Dioxide the same as chlorine?
A. No! Chlorine Dioxide's chemistry is radically different from that of chlorine. The addional oxygen atoms create atotally different chemical with very different properties.

Q. Where is Chlorine Dioxide most commonly used?
A. Worldwide & Industry wide? Chlorine Dioxide is used primarily as a primary disinfectant for surface waters with odour and taste problems, and has been disinfecting water streams and supplies for over seventy years. It is used in many large European cities such as Brussels, Zurich, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Toulouse, Vienna. Toxicology studies have shown that Chlorine Dioxide disinfection poses no significant risk to human health.

Q. How does Chlorine Dioxide affect the environment?
A. Chlorine Dioxide is "environmentally friendly" and, in fact, is a pollution protection technology which protects human health and the environment from bacteria and harmful by-products formed from other disinfection methods. For example, in the pulp and paper industry, the use of Chlorine Dioxide has virtually eliminated dioxins in mill waste and led to significant improvements in the aquatic ecosystem.

Q. What other applications use Chlorine Dioxide?
A. Chlorine Dioxide is widely used in the food industry in fruit & vegetable washing, flume water disinfection, meat & poultry disinfection and odour control. IN industrial processes it is used in industrial water treatment (cooling towers and systems), ammonia plants, pulp mills (slime control), oil fields and the electronics & microelectronics industries. It is also widely used in oral healthcare products.

Q. Is Chlorine Dioxide expensive?
A. The cost of producing Chlorine Dioxide is dependant on two factors - the cost of the precursor chemical and the cost of the equipment used to deliver the generated Chlorine Dioxide at the correct rate. LMEntech Ireland Ltd supply the most cost effective production and delivery mechanism available. When the costs are offset against reduced maintenance, energy savings, monitoring…. etc, combined with the improved water quality - LMEntech Chlorine Dioxide systems offer the most viable end solution.

Q. What organisms will Chlorine Dioxide eradicate?
A. Chlorine Dioxide is a "COMPLETE SPECTRUM" anti-microbial agent. It is particularly effective against - Legionellae, Pseudomonads, Listeria, E.coli & coliforms, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, MRSA…….. etc etc etc