What is Chlorine Dioxide Used For?

Chorus • January 9, 2025

Chlorine dioxide, or CIO2, is a common chemical with applications in countless industries. It’s so well-established as a disinfectant agent, however, that it’s often easy to overlook the full potential of this trusted, versatile chemical.

As a forward-thinking company that utilizes chlorine dioxide in our flagship product, Chorus is well-acquainted with the many benefits and applications of CIO2. Continue reading to explore what chlorine dioxide is currently used for and the innovative new uses that industry leaders are pioneering.

The Science Behind Chlorine Dioxide Uses: Why Industries Rely on This Solution

What, precisely, is chlorine dioxide? CIO2 is a chemical closely related to chlorine. It is prepared onsite as a liquid or aerosol.

CIO2 is known for its powerful disinfectant properties. It is an oxidizer that penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and neutralizes them, making it excellent for pathogen control.

Chlorine dioxide is one of the most widely used disinfectants and has many benefits assanitizing agent:

Efficacious in very low concentrations
Extremely cost-effective
Small molecules effectively disinfect hard-to-reach areas
Most microorganisms do not seem to build up a tolerance to chlorine dioxide
Negligible effect on the finished product in agriculture, food storage, and water treatment

The Role of Chlorine Dioxide Use in Environmental and Water Treatment

Perhaps the most well-known application of chlorine dioxide is in its role as a water treatment option. CIO2 is commonly used to clean and disinfect water, ensuring it is safe to drink and bathe in. Chlorine dioxide disinfection has been trusted for decades, and its safety and efficacy here is well-proven.

Chlorine Dioxide Uses in Industrial and Commercial Settings

Providing consumers with clean, safe water isn’t the only application of chlorine dioxide. It is trusted in several other applications and industries, including food safety, and healthcare, and pathogen prevention in cultivation facilities.

Chlorine Dioxide Benefits in Food Processing and Packaging

Chlorine dioxide is an excellent option for ensuring food safety and cleanliness in food preparation, packaging, and storage areas.

Fresh food, especially produce, needs protection from pathogens as it travels from farms to grocery stores and consumers. Chlorine dioxide can help disinfect produce after harvest and as it is being prepared to reduce harmful bacteria. The continued application of chlorine dioxide may also help keep produce fresher for longer, protecting consumers and reducing food waste.

Chlorine Dioxide Uses in Healthcare: Benefits for Sanitation and Infection Control

CIO2 is also an excellent tool for keeping people healthy in medical settings. Maintaining a clean environment is essential for pathogen prevention, reducing the spread of bacteria in healthcare environments, improving patient outcomes, and keeping medical workers safe.

For years, chlorine dioxide has been a trusted disinfectant in healthcare settings. It is routinely used to maintain hospital water cleanliness, disinfect surfaces, and sanitize tools.

Does Chlorine Dioxide Kill Mold? A Powerful Solution for Molds and Mildews:

Chlorine dioxide has also been shown to reduce the bacteria that lead to mold and mildew in many applications.

CIO2 can be used in several different ways to control mold and mildew. Cleaning surfaces with chlorine dioxide, either as a gas or as a liquid, can address mold and mildew, in some cases, inhibit their return. Chlorine dioxide gas can also be used to clean the air, preventing mold and mildew from spreading and even keeping them from appearing in the first place.

The mold- and mildew-inhibiting properties of chlorine dioxide are hugely beneficial in several applications, including indoor agriculture and food storage.

Chlorine Dioxide Benefits for Improved Air and Surface Quality

As mentioned, careful application of chlorine dioxide in the air has many potential benefits: decreased food waste, healthier indoor environments, healthier indoor-grown plants, higher-quality crops, larger yields, and increased worker safety, to name a few. Using chlorine dioxide gas to sanitize indoor environments also has the added benefit of odor control for fresher air inside and outside commercial cultivation facilities.

Is Chlorine Dioxide Safe for Odor Removal?

As it can clean the air, CIO2 is excellent for odor control, presenting an incredible benefit for indoor cultivation of aromatic plants like cannabis. Chlorine dioxide can simultaneously be used to control the spread of pathogens, ensure healthier plants, and remove cannabis smell in your cannabis grow room.

Future-Facing Industries Are Embracing Chlorine Dioxide Benefits

Though CIO2 has been used as a disinfectant for decades, dispensing chlorine dioxide in the air has long been imprecise and accessible only with the help of professionals. Innovative companies like Chorus are opening access to convenient air sanitization technology.

Don't settle for ordinary air quality. Discover the transformative power of chlorine dioxide in your most important indoor spaces by contacting Chorus here.

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Chlorine Dioxide and Odor Control: A Scientific Approach to Fresh Air

By Chorus • February 10, 2025

Cannabis cultivators inherently face a catch-22 when growing and processing flower: consumers value aromatic cannabis, but those aromas can create compliance issues for cultivation facilities. How can indoor cultivation facilities reduce cannabis odors without impacting the quality of the aromatic compounds in the cannabis itself? Innovative applications of chlorine dioxide present an answer. Why Odor Control in the Cannabis Industry Matters Cannabis odor control is essential, first and foremost, for compliance reasons. Many states, counties, and even cities have strict regulations governing the odors of cannabis cultivation and processing facilities. Grow operations failing to comply with these regulations can accrue fines that cut into profits and hinder regular operation. Odor control is essential even in areas without formal regulations. It’s no secret that cannabis is incredibly aromatic, especially just before harvest and during processing. Cultivation operations that wish to portray the cannabis industry in a positive light have a responsibility to be good neighbors and minimize their impact on the surrounding community, including in terms of smells. In response to the growth of the cannabis market , cultivators are ramping up their production and growing more than ever before. Increased production necessitates more effective odor control solutions, such as innovative uses of chlorine dioxide. The Science Behind Chlorine Dioxide Uses Chlorine dioxide, or CIO2 , has been trusted to mitigate odors in many industries for decades. It is such a widespread cleaning and deodorizing agent that many of us take it for granted. How, exactly, does ClO2 work? How Chlorine Dioxide for Odor Removal Works Chlorine dioxide is a powerful oxidizer . It works to transfer electrons between reactors, creating new compounds or, in the case of chlorine dioxide for odor control, neutralizing the odor-causing molecules. The Benefits of Using Chlorine Dioxide Smell Removal in Cannabis Grows Chlorine dioxide is undeniably a powerful odor remover. Why is it the best choice for cannabis cultivation? Chlorine Dioxide and Terpenes: Ensuring Odor Control Without Sacrificing Aroma Quality As mentioned in the introduction, aromas are one of the factors that consumers care most about when purchasing cannabis products. However, those same odors make it difficult for cannabis cultivation facilities to maintain compliance. To grow high-quality cannabis, cultivators must maximize their flower's aroma while minimizing the odors that escape their grow facility. Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the signature scent of cannabis. Despite their strong smell, they are relatively easily damaged by physical and chemical interference, necessitating an odor control solution that is both powerful and gentle. Chlorine dioxide fits the bill. Chlorine dioxide is safe for people and plants at low levels and can effectively control odors in the air without harming the delicate terpene balance present in high-quality cannabis flower. It’s a tiny molecule , which means it can permeate even the hardest-to-clean areas of a grow room and neutralize a vast array of odor-causing compounds. Additionally, chlorine dioxide isn’t just an odor-control agent; it can also be used to sanitize air and surfaces, allowing cultivators to grow healthier cannabis and minimize the smells that cannabis produces. Innovative chlorine dioxide applications make it even more effective at removing cannabis smells. Chorus leverages a precision-controlled, continuous release of ultra-low levels of chlorine dioxide in its Chorus Gro system to help cannabis cultivators minimize odors and remain compliant. Compliance Considerations in Meeting Odor Control Regulations Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations is essential for any cannabis company hoping to make its mark on the industry. Compliance with odor regulations is notoriously difficult and can attract fines that quickly snowball. For cannabis companies seeking a safe, effective, sustainable, and affordable option for cannabis odor control, chlorine dioxide is the answer. Chorus: Revolutionizing Odor Control in Cannabis Cultivation Chorus is leading the way in odor control for cannabis cultivation. Chorus Gro™ devices allow cultivators to minimize odors throughout the entire grow cycle with a novel approach to chlorine dioxide application. To learn how to get Chorus Gro™ for your cultivation facility, contact Chorus today .