Chlorine dioxide is a strong anti-infectious agent. It is antibacterial, antiviral, and can help improve oral health. Read more to learn about the health benefits and side effects of chlorine dioxide.<\/p>\n
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Chlorine dioxide (ClO2<\/sub>) is a yellow-green gas that was discovered in 1814. Since the early 1900s, people have been using it as a disinfectant [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide is an oxidant. This means that chlorine dioxide removes electrons from another compound during a chemical reaction. This activity makes it toxic to many bacteria and fungi [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide is considered potentially toxic to humans at concentrations higher than 0.8 mg\/L. Water purification tablets containing chlorine dioxide are marketed to campers, hikers, and backpackers to sanitize fresh water from rivers or lakes; make sure to carefully follow the instructions on the package if you use these products, and never use more than the recommended quantity per volume.<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide acts as an oxidizing agent (gains electrons during chemical reactions) and interacts with cell components [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n By taking electrons from microbes, the microbe\u2019s molecular bonds weaken and the cell breaks apart. This process alters the proteins involved in their structure and decreases enzyme function, thus resulting in the death of the microbe [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n This attack on many proteins simultaneously prevents the microorganisms from mutating and developing resistance [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine 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 [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide gas can go through bacterial cell membranes and cause cell death in the pH range of 3-9 [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In lab tests, chlorine dioxide was more effective at inactivating fungal spores than chlorine. It inactivated fungal spores by damaging the cell wall and cell membrane, thus causing the leakage of cell substances and eventually, fungal death [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study, a chlorine dioxide solution reduced 98.2% of bacteria and fungi in a lab test (E. coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, listeria, salmonella,<\/i> Candida albicans, etc<\/i>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The antimicrobial properties of chlorine dioxide are used to disinfect food, surgical tools, and more [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Low concentrations of chlorine dioxide are effective in reducing E. coli<\/i> present in water. Various chlorine dioxide products can help disinfect water and produce safe drinking water<\/b> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a 30-month prospective study, chlorine dioxide-treated water in a hospital decreased Legionella <\/i>bacteria counts. Additionally, there were no patients that acquired Legionnaires disease during the study [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The bacteria on vegetable seed sprouts can cause stomach problems and disease outbreaks. Chlorine dioxide treatment and dry heating eliminated E. coli<\/i> on radish seeds without damaging the seeds. Thus, it can help with food safety [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide treated-water significantly reduced <\/b>Escherichia coli<\/i><\/b> (<\/b>E. coli<\/i><\/b>) bacteria counts on baby spinach<\/b>. However, non-culturable cells (bacteria that do not grow or divide) were still present. The treatment did not affect the quality of the baby spinach, but it reduced its photosynthetic abilities [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a pilot study, chlorine dioxide gas disinfected gastrointestinal endoscopes, an instrument used to look at the inside lining of the digestive tract. The gas completely inactivated bacterial cells and disinfected all endoscopes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide gas efficiently disinfected and improved air quality<\/b> indoors after single (0.28L solution, 250 mg\/L), double, and triple doses. All three doses reduced indoor bacteria and fungi concentrations, but the double and triple doses had significantly better antimicrobial effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study, a chlorine dioxide-based agent was more effective than hydrogen peroxide at killing bacteria that had enhanced resistance to chemical and radiation disinfection<\/b> (B. pumilus<\/i> SAFR-032 and Bacillus subtilis<\/i> ATCC 6051). Chlorine dioxide can help sterilize peroxide- and UV<\/a>-resistant spores in hospital environments [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study, chlorine dioxide decontaminated known pathogens that can cause infections in a hospital room. Although each hospital room had lower bacteria counts, 2 cleaning cycles failed to completely inactivate all harmful organisms [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a week-long study (DB-RCT) of 15 subjects, a mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide decreased bad breath<\/b> (more than the placebo). It also reduced the number of chemical compounds with distinct bad smells (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The chlorine dioxide mouthwash also reduced plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease<\/b> (Fusobacterium nucleatum<\/i>) in saliva [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study (TB-RCT) of 25 healthy subjects, mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide was as effective as an antibacterial mouthwash (chlorhexidine). There was no significant difference in plaque concentration or bacteria count. Although the chlorhexidine mouthwash initially had a lower bacteria count, there was no statistically significant difference [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide may also help whiten teeth. It was faster at whitening cow teeth than hydrogen peroxide. However, since it has a low pH, long-term exposure may harm teeth [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A 5% chlorine dioxide solution can also help clean the mouth during root canals due to its antimicrobial properties [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Chlorine dioxide mouthwashes are available for purchase. If you use one, take special care not to swallow the solution, as the concentration of chlorine dioxide in these products is much higher than the threshold for safe consumption.<\/p>\nMechanism<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Uses of Chlorine Dioxide<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
1) Antimicrobial Activity<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
A Powerful Disinfectant<\/h4>\n
Improving Air Quality<\/h4>\n
Oral and Dental Health<\/h4>\n