ATSDR - Toxic Substances - Chlorine Dioxide & Chlorite
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Chlorine Dioxide & Chlorite

CAS ID #: 10049-04-4, Chlorite 7758-19-2

Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Neurological (Nervous System), Ocular (Eyes), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Cancer Classification: None

Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA’s IRIS Hotline with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: None

Summary: Chlorine dioxide is a yellow to reddish-yellow manufactured gas. It does not occur naturally in the environment. When added to water, chlorine dioxide forms chlorite ion, which is also a very reactive chemical. Chlorine dioxide is used as a bleaching agent at paper manufacturing plants, and in public water treatment facilities to make water safe to drink. In 2001, chlorine dioxide and chlorite were used to decontaminate a number of public buildings following the release of anthrax spores in the United States.

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