Effectiveness of Disinfection with Chlorine Dioxide on Respiratory Transmitted, Enteric, and Bloodborne Viruses: A Narrative Synthesis

Abstract

A viral spread occurrence such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted the evaluation of different disinfectants suitable for a wide range of environmental matrices. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) represents one of the most-used virucidal agents in different settings effective against both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. This narrative synthesis is focused on the effectiveness of ClO2 applied in healthcare and community settings in order to eliminate respiratory transmitted, enteric, and bloodborne viruses. Influenza viruses were reduced by 99.9% by 0.5–1.0 mg/L of ClO2 in less than 5 min. Higher concentration (20 mg/L) eliminated SARS-CoV-2 from sewage. ClO2 concentrations from 0.2 to 1.0 mg/L ensured at least a 99% viral reduction of AD40, HAV, Coxsackie B5 virus, and other enteric viruses in less than 30 min. Considering bloodborne viruses, 30 mg/L of ClO2 can eliminate them in 5 min. Bloodborne viruses (HIV-1, HCV, and HBV) may be completely eliminated from medical devices and human fluids after a treatment with 30 mg/L of ClO2 for 30 min. In conclusion, ClO2 is a versatile virucidal agent suitable for different environmental matrices.

Significance of chlorine‐dioxide‐based oral rinses in preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry

“…Chlorine dioxide is often used in the treatment of water and wastewater due to its virucidal effect as it causes disruption of viral glycoproteins including viral genome (Ge et al, 2021 ). It is also used as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine and has been shown to be effective against both enveloped and non‐enveloped viruses (Ge et al, 2021 ; Totaro et al, 2021 ). However, limited studies have evaluated the effect of chlorine dioxide as an option to decrease the viral titers in the oral cavity.…”

Effectiveness of a Water Disinfection Method Based on Osmosis and Chlorine Dioxide for the Prevention of Microbial Contamination in Dental Practices

“…This activity was shown at the patient chair point (1 m from aerosolization source). Considering the mean chlorine values reached in air, O-CD method may prevent the microbiological risk done by environmental bacteria and respiratory viruses transmitted by droplets (SARS-CoV-2) [ 36 ].…”

The Anticancer Potential of Chlorine Dioxide in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

“…Recent studies have shown that ClO 2 prevents the recombinant spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by attaching to its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [12,13]. Additionally, ClO 2 interacts with one or more cysteine, tyrosine, or tryptophan amino acid residues of the spike proteins in enveloped viruses and also attaches to the viral DNA of non-enveloped viruses [14,15]. However, the concentration, exposure time, pH, and temperature affect the antiviral and antimicrobial effects of ClO 2 [16][17][18].…”