What is the difference between “Active” chlorine dioxide and “Stabilized” chlorine dioxide?
Stabilized chlorine dioxide is a misleading term that is unfortunately in widespread use. There are only trace amounts of chlorine dioxide in “stabilized chlorine dioxide” products. The correct description is “stabilized chlorite.” The chlorite is stabilized with a buffer and peroxide at a pH of about 7. In order to generate a meaningful level of chlorine dioxide in a stabilized chlorite product, either chlorine or a strong acid must be added. Though chlorite, or stabilized chlorite, is also an oxidizing agent, it is not nearly as powerful as chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide, unlike chlorite, is a gas that must be generated at the time of application by mixing 2 separate parts. With the DioxiCare(R) System, the term “active” chlorine dioxide is used to distinguish between the two systems.
