Where It Comes From
Byproduct in water treated with chlorine dioxide; industrial use of sodium chlorite in paper/textile bleaching. [1][3]
How You Are Exposed
Mostly by drinking tap water where chlorine dioxide is used; also at work when handling sodium chlorite. [1][2]
Why It Matters
Can cause stomach upset and oxidative damage to red blood cells (anemia); animal studies show developmental nervous-system effects. EPA’s drinking-water limit is 1.0 mg/L; WHO guideline is 0.7 mg/L. [1][3][4]
Who Is at Risk
Infants and young children; people with anemia or enzyme deficiencies (e.g., G6PD); pregnant people; workers in water treatment or bleaching facilities. [1][2][5]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Check your water system’s Consumer Confidence Report for chlorite results; consider reverse osmosis or distillation if levels are high; never ingest “chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite” products; at work, use ventilation and PPE as recommended. [2][5][6][7]
References
- [1]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorite. 2004. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp160.pdf
- [2]CDC. Facts About Chlorine Dioxide. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/chlorinedioxide/basics/facts.asp
- [3]EPA. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Chlorite MCL). https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
- [4]WHO. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality; Chlorite guideline. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950
- [5]NIOSH. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Sodium chlorite. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0560.html
- [6]EPA. Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR). https://www.epa.gov/ccr
- [7]EPA. Home Drinking Water Treatment Systems. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-treatment-systems