Chlorine dioxide may be used to decontaminate buildings that have been contaminated by biological warfare agents (BWA) such as Anthrax.
High-purity chlorine dioxide gas is an excellent gas-phase decontaminating agent, because chlorine dioxide gas molecules can kill aerosolized, airborne pathogens, and also can diffuse through all the cracks and crevices in a facility and reach any surface that might have been reached by the target pathogen(s).
In contrast to many other sterilant gasses, such as ethylene oxide and formaldehyde, chlorine dioxide is not an alkylating agent. (Alkylating agents tend to be mutagenic.)
The method of generation is critical to the successful use of chlorine dioxide gas as a decontamination agent. Generally, high-purity chlorine dioxide, if precisely controlled and properly applied, can afford a safe, effective means of decontaminating facilities that have been compromised with BWA, with minimal collateral damage to facilities and their contents.
In contrast to high-purity chlorine dioxide, very low concentrations of chlorine gas, salt-water aerosols, acid fumes, and other contaminants typical of the product of aqueous generators, especially in the presence of humidity, may cause very rapid corrosion and surface damage to a variety of materials.
Before handling any chemical, persons are advised to acquire training in the handling and use of such materials, and to become fully familiar with applicable Material Safety Data Sheets and operating manuals.
In the United States, the use of chlorine dioxide is for many purposes regulated by agencies of the Federal Government, especially: EPA, FDA, OSHA. The transportation of chemicals is regulated by DOT. State and local regulatory agencies may also have jurisdiction. Before chlorine dioxide is used for any purpose, the user should become fully informed about any and all applicable governmental rules, regulations and codes.