What is Sodium Chlorite and sodium Chlorate?
Sodium chlorite is derived indirectly from Sodium Chlorate. Sodium Chlorate is synthesised from the electrolysis of hot sodium chloride solution in a mixed electrode tank. It can also be synthesised by passing chlorine gas to a sodium Hydroxide solution. The main oxidation by-products of chloride dioxide are the chlorite and chlorate ions. It has been reported that chlorite and chlorate ions at the concentrations > 100 mg/l can cause hematological effects in mice, rats, monkeys, cats and humans. For this reason it is nowadays recommended to monitor the chlorite and chlorate ions residuals in treated water. Sodium chlorite, should be protected from inadvertent contamination by organic materials to avoid the formation of an explosive mixture.
