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The Effects of Chlorine Dioxide

Chlorine dioxide is one of the most dangerous substances in the world, and can cause damaging effects in even short exposure periods. Fortunately, chlorine dioxide does not last very long in nature.

  1. Identification

    • Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a highly reactive, volatile and strong-smelling yellow gas or liquid.

    Significance

    • Over a million pounds of chlorine dioxide are produced each year in the United States, according to scorecard.org. Between 700 to 900 public water treatment systems use chlorine dioxide, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

    Effects

    • Chlorine dioxide mostly damages the respiratory system and causes throat irritation. Multiple exposures to ClO2 sometimes lead to chronic coughing and bronchitis.

    Benefits

    • Chlorine dioxide's high reactivity make it excellent at killing germs and bacteria in water, reports the EPA. Manufacturers also use ClO2 for bleaching cloth and paper.

    Considerations

    • Although chlorine dioxide is highly toxic, its high reactivity rate means that it breaks down--or changes into other compounds--in a matter of hours. However, this is enough time for humans and animals to feel negative effects.

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