Sodium chlorite is the product of three elements: sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and oxygen. In each molecule, one sodium atom and one chlorine atom bind with two oxygen atoms. The chemical equation for this composition is NaClO2. It is found in solid form as a white powder and is also water soluble. Under high heat, it can be explosive. Sodium chlorite is presently being promoted as a miracle mineral supplement or MMS with superior antimicrobial activity. Sodium chlorite is a compound used for water disinfection and purification. It is produced in large quantities as flakes or a solution from chlorine dioxide and sodium hydroxide. Its use as a bleach for textiles was first discovered during the 1920s. In its dried state, sodium chlorite (NaClO2) is a white or light yellow green solid. The greenish tint comes from trace amounts of CdO2 or iron, which are production residuals. Sodium chlorite has a molecular weight of 90.44 and decomposes at about 392°F (200°C). It is generally soluble in water, but its solubility increases as the temperature of the water rises. Sodium chlorite is a powerful oxidizer that will not explode on percussion. The anhydrous salt does not absorb water and is stable for up to ten years. Sodium chlorite (chlorous acid sodium salt) is a toxic inorganic substance that is used in a range of industries, including sanitation and agriculture. Uses & Applications The main application of sodium chlorite is the generation of chlorine dioxide for bleaching and stripping of textiles, pulp, and paper. It is also used for disinfection of a few municipal water treatment plants after conversion to chlorine dioxide. An advantage in this application, as compared to the more commonly used chlorine, is that trihalomethanes (such as chloroform) are not produced from organic contaminants. Chlorine dioxide generated from sodium chlorite is approved by FDA under some conditions for disinfecting water used to wash fruits, vegetables, and poultry. Sodium chlorite, NaClO2, sometimes in combination with zinc chloride, also finds application as a component in therapeutic rinses, mouthwashes, toothpastes and gels, mouth sprays, as a teat dip for control of mastitis in dairy cattle, as preservative in eye drops, and in contact lens cleaning solution under the trade name Purite. Under the brand name Oxine it is used for sanitizing air ducts and HVAC/R systems and animal containment areas (walls, floors, and other surfaces). Market Survey Globally, industrial applications for sodium chlorite are forecast to grow at a rate of 2.5% annually during 2012–2017 but will vary by region. The leading application is municipal/industrial water treatment disinfection, which accounted for about 60% of total industrial consumption. The global market for all disinfectants, including chlorine based disinfectants, is increasing as a result of growing concerns over the spread of infectious diseases following outbreaks in 2003, 2004 and 2009 of swine flu (H1N1), avian influenza (bird flu), pertussis, common flu, cholera, West Nile virus and others. As a result, the role played by chlorinated disinfectants is related to health and social issues, and less dependent on the general economy. Sodium chlorite and hydrogen peroxide have replaced chlorine gas as the most commonly used bleaching agents in pulp and paper mills across the globe. Sodium, calcium, potassium and lithium hypochlorite/chlorite/chlorate are strong oxidizing agents used for bleaching, sanitation and disinfection. On a consumption basis, sodium chlorite accounted for 91% of total global chlorite use, with calcium hypochlorite at 9%. Lithium and potassium chlorite account for a negligible share. Global demand for sodium hypochlorite for household use is projected to grow at almost 2% annually during 2012–2017. This compares with a projected growth in global demand for all disinfectants and microbials of 4.0% annually during 2012–2017 for both household and industrial uses