As early as 1811, American scientist H.Davery synthesized and collected chlorine dioxide gas for the first time by reacting KClO3 aqueous solution with hydrochloric acid. However, it was not until the 1930s that ClO2 was produced on a safe and economic scale and began to be widely used in industrialization. In 1944, chlorine dioxide was first used as a disinfectant to treat drinking water in Niagara Falls, New York, USA. In the late 1970s, chlorine dioxide as a bleaching agent and disinfectant has been widely used in the bleaching of pulp, sterilization and water purification in the field of food processing since the successful development of chlorine dioxide stabilizers. It shows its strong bleaching and disinfecting ability.
Chlorine dioxide is the latest generation of high-efficiency, broad-spectrum and safe bactericidal and preservatives recognized internationally. It is the ideal substitute for chlorine preparations and has been widely used in developed countries. Relevant organizations in developed countries such as the United States, Western Europe, Canada, and Japan, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture, have approved and recommended chlorine dioxide for food, food processing, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, public environments, etc. Disinfection, anti-mildew and anti-corrosion preservation of food. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Organization (FAO) have also listed chlorine dioxide as a Class A1 safe and effective disinfectant. In order to control the production of “three substances” (carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic) in drinking water, chlorine dioxide has been widely used in developed countries in Europe and America to disinfect drinking water. In recent years, China has also begun to attach importance to the promotion and application of chlorine dioxide products. The Ministry of Chemical Industry has promulgated relevant industry standards, and the Ministry of Health has approved chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant and a new food additive (GB2760).
Legal provisions on the scope of use of chlorine dioxide in various countries
The following table lists the legal provisions of the country in which chlorine dioxide is used:
time | country | Approved institution | Scope of use |
1992 | WHO | Disinfection of drinking water | |
1987 | Germany | Disinfection of drinking water | |
1985 | United States | FDA | Food processing equipment disinfection |
1987 | United States | EPA | Environmental disinfection of food processing plants, breweries, restaurants; Sterilization and mildew resistance of hard and empty surface instruments in hospitals and laboratories |
1989 | United States | EPA | Storage water disinfection; Disinfection and deodorization of animal habitats such as poultry, pigs, dog rings, etc. |
1988 | Japan | Ministry of Food and Health | Disinfection of drinking water |
1987 | Australia | Australian Ministry of Health | Food Additive No. 926, Food Bleach |
1987 | China | Ministry of Health | Food industry, medical, pharmaceutical, livestock, Disinfection and sterilization in the fields of aquaculture, public environment, etc. |
1996 | China | Ministry of Health | Aquatic products and food additives for preservation of fruits and vegetables |
2002 | United States | FDA | Food processing equipment, pipes, process equipment and especially in milk processing plants |
2005 | China | Ministry of Health | Disinfection of drinking water |
