- Household bleach is typically a 5 to 6% solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). It Oxidizes, chlorinates and bleaches by gradual release of chlorine, which is a short-lived bactericide. Chlorination involves attaching a chlorine molecule to anything it comes into contact with.
• Household bleach as typically used for wiping down surfaces is ineffective against viruses, molds (except on hard, non-porous surfaces), fungi and spore-forming organisms. Wet contact times for chlorine range from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the microbe/virus, and chlorine solutions are inactivated by the presence of organic matter (blood, other proteinaceous material, dirt), heavy metal ions, low temperature, or ultraviolet irradiation (i.e. light). CDC reference
(OSHA is the first federal agency to announce a departure from the use of chlorine bleach in mold remediation. In time, other federal, state and other public safety agencies are expected to follow OSHA's lead).
- CDS is activated sodium chlorite (NaClO2 / MMS) in an acidified solution. Sodium chlorite is converted into chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and although "chlorine" is found in its name, it does not chlorinate any more than the chlorine in table salt (NaCl).
• ClO2 is effective against ALL microorganisms. ClO2 disinfects by oxidation only, not chlorination (i.e. electrophilic substitution) and is effective against ALL microorganisms, including the "superbugs" C. difficile, MRSA and Noro virus;
• ClO2 does not generate undesirable organochlorine compounds. Unlike chlorine, ClO2 is unaffected by ammonia and most organic substances.
- Typical therapeutic use of chlorine dioxide solution (CDS) or activated/diluted MMS cannot be used to bleach anything. Although chlorine dioxide is used in high concentration for commercial, non-chlorinating bleaching applications, the solutions used in CDT are extremely dilute.
If you pour undiluted CDS (3000 ppm chlorine dioxide) or MMS (24% sodium chlorite) onto a pair of blue jeans (as shown in some media videos), then yes - it will turn them white!
Although ClO2 shares a few characteristics with chlorine (E.g. green/yellowish gas with chlorine-like odor irritating to eyes, nose and throat), its chemical properties are very different to chlorine.
For more details, see:
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Chlorine (Cl2) vs. Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) |
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Chlorine (Cl2) |
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) |
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Solubility |
Dissociatiates into hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid(main biocide in solution), which dissociates with increasing pH to form hypochlorite ion (many times weaker biocide than hypochlorous acid. i.e. chlorine can only be an effective bactericide at low pH (as found in the stomach); |
10 times more soluble than chlorine in water |
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Hydrolization (react with water to form compounds) |
ClO2 doesn't hydrolyze in solution. Remains a "true"dissolved gas retaining its oxidative and biocidal properties across pH range 2-10, |
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Oxidation |
Chlorine reacts with oxidizable substances by substitution (i.e. chlorination) |
ClO2 reacts with oxidizable substances by oxidation. It is a neutral compound of chlorine in the +IV oxidation state and disinfects by oxidation, it does not chlorinate |
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Oxidation strength (ORP) |
Hypochlorous Acid (ORP 1.49 V) reacts with more compounds than ClO2 |
Chlorine Dioxide (ORP 0.95 V) does not react with as many compounds as chlorine. i.e. it is more selective |
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Oxidation Capacity |
Hypochlorous acid has a +2 oxidation state. i.e. it can "steal" 2 electrons |
2 ½times > chlorine: ClO2's chlorine atom has +4 oxidation state -i.e. it can "steal"4 electrons + one more converting to a chloride ion (Cl-) |
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Reaction with organic substances |
Chlorinates organic substances to produce potentially harmful organochlorine products. Reacts with hydrocarbons (C-H) to produce organic toxic organic chloride (C-Cl) byproducts. E.g. THMs (trihalomethanes) Reacts with various amines (C-NH2) to produce chloramines (C-NH-Cl) |
Reacts with very few organic substances |
