Chlorine dioxide

Synonyms

Alcide; Anthium dioxcide; Chlorine dioxide; Chlorine oxide (ClO2); Chlorine peroxide; Chlorine(IV) oxide; Chloroperoxyl; Chloryl radical; Doxcide 50; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Oxidizers

Description

Yellow to red gas or a red-brown liquid (below 52 degrees F) with an unpleasant odor similar to chlorine and nitric acid; [NIOSH] Vapor density = 2.3 (heavier than air); [ACGIH]

Sources/Uses

Used in bleaching wood pulp (95% of use); Also used in bleaching textiles; disinfecting hospital equipment; disinfecting fruits, vegetables, and meats; and treating municipal water; [ACGIH]

Comments

Corrosive--can cause serious skin burns; [ICSC] Rats exposed to 0.1 ppm for 5 hours/day for 45 days had no adverse effects while exposures to 2.5 ppm for 7 hours/day for 30 days caused severe lung inflammation; [ACGIH]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

Yes

0.1 ppm

0.1 ppm

0.1 ppm

5 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been reported that 5 ppm is definitely irritating and that 19 ppm caused the death of one worker inside a tank (time of exposure was not specified) [Elkins 1950].

0.1 ppm

Odor Threshold High

15 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 260 ppm/2H

Explanatory Notes

Extreme explosive hazard--should be handled in aqueous solutions (0.5-10 g/L); [ACGIH] Odor threshold from NJ "Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet"; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Chlorine dioxide, hydrate, frozen.

Reference Link #2

Not appropriate

0.5 ppm

3 ppm

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
• Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides