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Chlorine Dioxide

Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary

Chlorine Dioxide is a bleaching agent — Bleaching of flour and disinfection of municipal drinking water; antimicrobial in poultry processing

What it does

Bleaching of flour and disinfection of municipal drinking water; antimicrobial in poultry processing

Where you'll see it

Flour, drinking water, poultry processing water, fruits and vegetables

What the research says

Suspected of being a developmental toxicant. Ranked one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to ecosystems. Causes irritation, bronchitis, pulmonary edema. High-volume chemical.

Regulatory status

  • EU: approved
  • Notes: EU approved to clean chicken carcasses

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Chlorine dioxide is suspected of being a developmental toxicant. This is a high-volume chemical