From: Bob Amick (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Date: Thu Jul 13 2000 - 12:40:35 CDT
The following information on water purification using Clorox
(Chlorine) bleach "Ultra" (new formula) was provided by Dr. Rocky Lopes
of the Community Disaster Education Section, American National Red Cross
and is forwarded by permission.
Bob Amick, EMT-B, Advisor, Venturing Crew 72/Sea Scout Ship 72, Boulder, CO
From: "Lopes, Rocky"
To:
Subject: Clorox Bleach Changes
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 08:27:28 -0400
X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2651.58)
Information for: anyone who responds to inquiries about water treatment
after disasters.
----------------
The Red Cross National Headquarters has received inquiries from the public
about the fact that the Clorox Company is introducing a new product, "Clorox
Ultra", which increases the concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite from 5-1/4%
to 6%, and adds Sodium Hydroxide to the mix, which has not been in Clorox
before. I contacted the Clorox Company for an explanation. Their
explanation follows.
Yes, it is true that Clorox is changing the concentration of its regular
household laundry bleach from having a 5-1/4% concentration of Sodium
Hypochlorite to 6%, and that they have added Sodium Hydroxide to the
formula. They are doing this to reduce the size of the containers and in
response to market research. They are introducing "Clorox Ultra" slowly
across the country, starting in the West and Midwest. It will be on the
East Coast by fall. They will completely eliminate offering the "old"
Clorox bleach upon introduction of the "new" Clorox Ultra.
However, the Clorox representative stated that the new formula has been
tested and is safe to use to treat water at home. The only reason why it
has not been approved by the EPA for use is simply that the company has not
completed that process yet. (It takes a long, long time for all that
paperwork.)
The recommendation to use for water treatment remains the same:
1. Filter out/remove any solid impurities.
2. Add 16 drops of the bleach per gallon of water and stir. This is the
same recommendation for either the 5-1/4% or 6% concentration.
3. Let stand 30 minutes.
4. If it smells slightly of chlorine, you can use it.
5. If it does not smell of chlorine, add another 16 drops and wait another
30 minutes.
6. If it still does not smell of chlorine after two doses, discard it and
find other water.
If you have further questions or individuals who contact you with technical
questions about Clorox Bleach that you can't answer, let me know, and I can
give you the name/number of the Clorox representative to refer these people
to.
Sincerely,
Rocky Lopes
Community Disaster Education
American Red Cross National Headquarters
