What happens to chlorine dioxide and chlorite when they enter the environment?
• Chlorine dioxide is a very reactive compound and breaks down quickly in the environment. • In air, sunlight rapidly breaks down chlorine dioxide into chlorine gas and oxygen. • In water, chlorine dioxide quickly forms chlorite. • Chlorite in water may move into groundwater, although reactions with soil and sediments may reduce the amount of chlorite reaching groundwater. • Neither chlorine dioxide or chlorite build up in the food chain.
• Chlorine dioxide is a very reactive compound and will not exist in the environment for long periods of time. • In air, sunlight will rapidly break down chlorine dioxide into chlorine gas and oxygen. • In water, chlorine dioxide will quickly form chlorite ions. • Chlorite ions do not exist in air. • Chlorite ions in water may move into groundwater, although reaction with soil and sediments may reduce the amount chlorite ions reaching groundwater. • Neither chlorine dioxide nor chlorite ions build up in the food chain.
