"How is chlorine dioxide not bleach?"
I was mentioning chlorine dioxide on Threads and a smart alec came up with the classic "don't drink bleach". *I* know that chlorine dioxide is not bleach, but I asked AI how chlorine dioxide is not bleach and it gave me an amazing succinct breakdown: "While both chlorine dioxide and bleach (typically sodium hypochlorite) are oxidizing agents used for disinfection and bleaching, chlorine dioxide is a more powerful and less corrosive disinfectant that doesn't produce the same harmful byproducts as bleach when reacting with organic matter. Here's a more detailed comparison: Mechanism of Action: Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2): Acts as a powerful oxidizing agent through a process called free radical electrophilic abstraction, which means it doesn't form chlorinated organic compounds like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite, NaOCl): Oxidizes through a different mechanism, leading to the formation of these harmful byproducts when reacting with organic matter. Corrosiveness: Chlorine Dioxide: Is less corrosive than chlorine and bleach. Bleach: Can be quite corrosive, especially to certain metals. Effectiveness: Chlorine Dioxide: Is effective in disinfecting water even in the presence of organic matter and has a broader range of pH tolerance than bleach. Bleach: Can be less effective in water with high levels of organic matter. Applications: Chlorine Dioxide: Used for water treatment, pulp bleaching, and disinfection in various industries. Bleach: Commonly used for household cleaning, laundry, and disinfection. Storage and Handling: Chlorine Dioxide: Is an unstable gas that is difficult to transport safely and is usually produced on site. Bleach: Is a stable liquid that is easier to store and transport. Byproducts: Chlorine Dioxide: Produces fewer harmful byproducts compared to bleach. Bleach: Can produce harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). " This individual turned out to be a troll who just wanted to stir the pot so I put him on mute but left the conversation up so others that come across that will see. It's all about leaving bread crumbs...