Engelhard chlorine dioxide-release technology approved for use in wells, cisterns
ISELIN, NJ, July 26, 2006 -- A unique chlorine dioxide-release agent from Engelhard has secured a new registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for disinfecting drinking water in wells and cisterns.
Engelhard Aseptrol® chlorine dioxide-release technology has been approved for disinfection of drinking water in these individual water systems. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, about 45 million Americans use wells and cisterns as their main water source.
Aseptrol tablets are a reliable, cost-effective chlorine dioxide-release application also approved for disinfecting drinking water taken from rivers, lakes and similar sources. Chlorine dioxide has been used for many years to disinfect water in municipal and other large-scale systems. The tablets will be sold to local governments, the military and municipalities, as well as through select retail outlets and through water purification distributors.
"This latest EPA registration further enhances the portability and applicability of our chlorine dioxide-release technology," said Michael Cochran, Engelhard's global sales and marketing manager for Aseptrol. "Using this fast-acting and potent biocide provides a new method of treating individual water systems without harmful chemical byproducts."
Chlorine dioxide works through oxidation to penetrate bacteria cell walls and react with vital amino acids in the cytoplasm of the cell to kill the organism, and is not associated with the harmful by-products that result from chlorine treatment. Chlorine dioxide also improves the taste and odor of drinking water while leaving no chemical taste.
Engelhard's chlorine dioxide-release agents have secured multiple registrations from the EPA for use in: providing emergency drinking water; killing bacteria associated with tuberculosis and many other pathogens in hospitals, medical offices and health-related facilities; removing contamination in dental unit water lines; controlling mold in swimming pool and other home applications; sanitizing hard, nonporous surfaces and utensils that come into contact with food; and fighting animal viruses in veterinary, lab animal science and biomedical research facilities, among other applications.
Engelhard Corp. (www.engelhard.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF, is a world-leading provider of technologies for environmental, process, appearance and performance applications.
BASF (www.basf.com) is one of the world's leading chemical companies. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF's intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. It develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities.
---
###