Protocol for chlorine-dioxide shock treatment at healthcare facilities on a public water system (2024)

FAQs

Which safety precautions should be taken when handling chemicals involved in chlorine dioxide generation? ›

* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Chlorine Dioxide and at the end of the workshift.

OSHA regulates the level of chlorine dioxide in workplace air. The occupational exposure limit for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek is 0.1 parts per million (0.28 milligrams per cubic meter [mg/m³]).

Chlorine needs time to inactivate any microorganisms that may be present in the water being treated for human consumption. The more time chlorine is in contact with the microorganisms, the more effective the process will be.

Chlorine dioxide is a severe respiratory and eye irritant in humans. It is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Inhalation may cause irritation of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and severe breathing difficulties which may be delayed in onset.

When taken by mouth: Chlorine dioxide is likely unsafe. While chlorine dioxide is safely used to disinfect drinking water, it is used in extremely small amounts. The doses used in supplements can cause serious side effects, including severe vomiting, liver failure, and death.

OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 ppm, not to be exceeded at any time. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 0.5 ppm, which should not be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the maximum concentration of chlorine dioxide in drinking water to be no greater than 0.8 parts per million (ppm).

Most administered chlorine dioxide and its metabolites remain in plasma followed by kidneys, lungs, stomach, intestine, liver, and spleen. About 43% of orally administered chlorine dioxide is eliminated in the urine and feces within 72 h.

How do you treat chlorine dioxide exposure? ›

No known antidote exists for chlorine exposure. Treatment consists of removing the chlorine from the body as soon as possible and providing supportive medical care. Symptoms can be treated in a hospital setting or by trained emergency personnel. If someone has ingested chlorine, do NOT induce vomiting.

Yes, boiling water for 15 minutes will remove all of the chlorine form tap water. Alternatively, leave a jug of water uncovered at room temperature for at least 24 hours and the chlorine will evaporate without boiling.

Public drinking water systems use different water treatment methods to provide safe drinking water for their communities. Public water systems often use a series of water treatment steps that include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

The raw water is delivered to the headworks of the water treatment plant where the first of 5 major unit water treatment processes start the treatment to make the water safe to drink. The 5 major unit processes include chemical coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection (described below).

In addition, the following personal protective clothing should be worn: full face shield and non-ventilated chemical goggles; • chemically-resistant rubber gloves; • apron or jacket; • long sleeves; • long pants; and • closed-toe shoes. at least 60°F, but protected from extreme heat or direct sunlight.

Wear eye protection. Use a fume cupboard for anything larger than test tube amounts of gas; ensure good laboratory ventilation. If testing for the gas by its smell, follow the safe technique for sniffing gases: use your hand to waft the gas towards your nose.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be used when handling chlorinated solvents (solvent transfer, sampling, maintenance). Ensure that eye baths and showers are readily available for emergency use and that access routes to these facilities are free of obstructions.