Chlorine Dioxide in Water - DIY Test

The WHO's perspective on chlorine dioxide in water*

Sources of chlorine dioxide in water

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is used as a disinfectant and to control odors and changes in water taste, with effectiveness starting at 0.1 ppm over a wide pH range. 

Chlorine dioxide is used as a disinfectant for food products : meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables.

It is also used in industry, particularly in cooling systems, ammonia plants, medical waste, and the paper industry, as it is an excellent environmentally friendly bleaching agent.

Standards for chlorine dioxide in water**

There is no guideline value for chlorine dioxide, which is reduced to chlorite and chlorate when ingested. The taste and odor threshold is 0.2 to 0.4 mg/l. However, the guideline values for chlorite and chlorate are sufficiently conservative to account for the potential toxicity of chlorine dioxide.

Effects of chlorine dioxide on the body

Chlorine dioxide can be toxic, particularly gas fumes in a confined space. In addition, if the air contains more than 10 % chlorine dioxide, it becomes explosive.

Chlorine dioxide causes irritation and burns to the skin and eyes. It can cause coughing, sore throats, severe headaches, and bronchitis, and may lead to pulmonary edema with heavy exposure.

    
* This paragraph is based in part on the WHO report “ Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality ”. 

**A guideline value is a reference value provided by the WHO.

Test the chlorine dioxide level in your water with a photometer

This kit of 100 strips lets you perform 100 chlorine dioxide tests on your water.

To do this, you must:

• also have the kit of 100 glycine strips
• own one of the following photometers: iDip, iDip570, Micro20, Micro7+, Chlorine+, Eco-Check, Pool and Spa

Test procedure with the iDip photometer

These strips let you measure the presence of chlorine dioxide in your water using the IDIP photometer. The process is very simple:

1. Open the app on your mobile phone and turn on the photometer.

2. Add water to the tester's designated cell

3. Place the strip in the water for 20 seconds

4. View the result directly on the photometer, and the result is automatically saved on your phone.

This water testing system is fast, reliable, modern, expandable, and comprehensive. It is THE most accessible system.

Test procedure with the Micro20 photometer

• PREPARE a chlorine dioxide test strip and a glycine strip before starting the test.
• TURN ON THE DEVICE - Turn on the photometer by pressing the ON/ZERO button. The screen will show all indicators, then the selected menu, then the most recent results.
• SELECT THE GROUP AND PARAMETERS -  Press the SELECT button repeatedly to choose the group: the chlorine dioxide test is in group 6. Then press the MENU button repeatedly to select the test parameters: Cd. (You will find all this information in a table in the user manual supplied with the device).
• RINSE AND FILL THE TEST CELL - Rinse the test cell at least 3 times with the water you will be testing (to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from your previous test).
• DIP THE STRIP - Dip the glycine strip into the test cell and immediately press the READ button. This starts a 20-second countdown, during which you must move the strip back and forth in the cell. Remove the strip after "1" disappears from the screen. The counter will automatically reset to zero. Be ready to use the chlorine dioxide strip.
• DIP THE SECOND STRIP - About 4 seconds after the counter automatically resets to zero, "20" will appear on the screen. Immediately immerse the chlorine dioxide strip in the cell. During this time, gently move the strip back and forth (about 2 movements per second). Remove and discard the strip after "1" disappears from the screen. The counter will then count for 100 seconds, after which the cursor will move across the screen while the counter prepares the sample measurement. Record the displayed result (this result is automatically stored in the Cd menu and, if you use the eXact iDip® app, it will also be stored in the app's 'RESULTS'). Once the test is complete, immediately rinse the cell and clean it with the brush.