Applied Oxidation LLC products

Although chlorine dioxide and chlorine bear the word “chlorine” in their names, their chemistries and behaviors significantly differ. Unlike chlorine, chlorine dioxide does not need chlorination to perform its disinfection job. It works through oxidation (inactivation by electron exchange rather than chlorine atom exchange), penetrates bacteria cell walls and reacts with vital amino acids in the cytoplasm of the cell thereby killing the microorganism. Chlorine dioxide delivers the positive biocidal benefits of chlorine without any of the detriments and drawbacks known from chlorine. With chlorine dioxide there are no harmful disinfection by-products, fumes, odors, irritants, corrosion, explosions, hazardous handling, transportation and storage problems. Health and environmental issues caused by chlorine, like irritation of mucous membranes, eye and skin, and mutagenic problems, are eliminated.

Besides chlorine, certain industries have been using conventional oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides for disinfection and sanitation such as quats and peracetic acid. The disadvantages of these products are many and their disinfectant properties are limited by many factors.  Peracitic acid and quats are only effective only in high doses, adding more chemicals to the water and the environment. Peracetic acid produces acetic acid, which is very useful nourishment for microorganisms. Therefore bacteria may even grow more after using peracetic acid. Unlike chlorine dioxide, there is a risk of immunity building when using these biocides. Consequently, their uses are often rotated involving high costs. This is no longer needed when switching to chlorine dioxide.