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Sodium hypochlorite is used in many industries, in economy and even in medicine. It is a very simple substance that is based on chlorine. Read what sodium hypochlorite is and what its use is.
Sodium hypochlorite – what is it?
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a compound that can be used effectively. It is used extensively for surface cleaning, bleaching, odor removal and water disinfection. The chemical formula of sodium hypochlorite is NaClO. It is an ionic compound composed of a sodium cation (Na +) bound to a hypochlorite anion (ClO-).
Sodium hypochlorite is produced industrially by the Hooker process in which dilute sodium hydroxide is reacted with chlorine gas to produce NaClO along with sodium chloride and water.
Sodium hypochlorite is a good oxidizing agent. Reacts with protic acids such as HCl to form salts, releasing toxic chlorine gas. It also reacts with certain acids to form hypochlorous acid (HClO). In water, it decomposes into sodium and chlorine ions, as well as into a strong oxidizing agent, the hydroxyl radical (OH.). NaClO also breaks down into sodium chloride and oxygen.
Dakin’s solution – the oldest drug with sodium hypochlorite
During World War I, a 5% NaOCl solution of sodium hypochlorite was introduced into use, which was called the Dakin solution. Originally 5 percent. NaOCl solution was used to heal war wounds. It was used instead of antibiotics to treat gas gangrene or purulent wounds.
Sodium hypochlorite kills microbes, viruses and fungi, so it was extremely effective in cleaning wounds and preventing infection. In addition, it was also used to disinfect laboratory equipment, thanks to which infections within hospitals were less frequently transmitted between patients.
See: Ophthalmologists warn: disinfecting gels can be a hazard to the eyes
Sodium hypochlorite – application
Sodium hypochlorite is used in various industries and medicine. Sodium hypochlorite is used in agriculture, the chemical industry, the paint industry, the food, glass, paper, pharmaceutical, synthetic and waste disposal industries.
In the textile industry, sodium hypochlorite is used for bleaching textiles. Sometimes it is added to industrial wastewater. This is to reduce odors. Hypochlorite neutralizes the gaseous sulfur hydrogen and ammonia. It is also used to detoxify cyanide baths in the metal industry.
In water treatment, hypochlorite is used to disinfect water. In households, hypochlorite is often used to clean and disinfect the home.
Read: Disposable masks: facts and myths – disinfection and sterilization
Sodium hypochlorite – use in swimming pools
Sodium hypochlorite is used in swimming pools to disinfect and oxidize water. The properties of sodium hypochlorite mean that potential microorganisms are unable to become resistant to it. Sodium hypochlorite is effective against Legionella and the biofilm in which Legionella can multiply.
Hypochlorous acid is formed by the reaction of sodium hydroxide with gaseous chlorine. The so-called “active chlorine” is formed in the water.
The concentration of sodium hypochlorite found in swimming pools is generally not harmful to humans. However, too much chlorine in the pool water can cause:
- damage to the respiratory tract,
- damage to the stomach and intestines,
- skin and eye irritation,
- redness of the eyes.
Sodium chlorite also causes the characteristic chlorine smell in swimming pools.
Sodium hypochlorite – for wounds
Today, sodium hypochlorite can be found in many medical products. Among other things, such a preparation is Dermacyn, which is also designed to disinfect and rinse wounds. It can be used in chronic ulcers, in patients with diabetic foot, bedsores, infected wounds, in burns, neoplastic ulcers or other oncological wounds, and even in postoperative wounds and acute wounds.
Action sodium hypochlorite in this product it is combined with hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide. Thanks to this combination, a product is obtained that not only cleans but also moisturizes wounds, has an antibacterial effect on gram-positive and negative bacteria, it eliminates viruses, fungi and spores, and even eliminates unpleasant odors. The bottom line, however, is that it can be used alongside other wound healing methods and is cheap.
Sodium hypochlorite – root canal treatment
Sodium hypochlorite is also used for root canal treatment. It is a preparation with which the canal is rinsed because it dissolves the necrotic tissue in the root canal. In addition, it helps to remove the smear layer from the root canal, thanks to which it allows the root canals to be tightly closed against bacteria.
Combined sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide are used to rinse the dental canals, because these two substances, in combination with oxygen, create foam, which cleans the root canal of tissue debris and even dentin filings better than liquid. This method is not only used in patients who are hypersensitive to sodium hypochlorite, because some people may actually develop an allergy, although it is extremely rare.
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