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Short Communication
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Effect of chlorine dioxide gas of
extremely low concentration
on absenteeism of schoolchildren
Norio Ogata* and Takashi Shibata
Taiko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
nogata7@yahoo.co.jp.
Accepted 03 July, 2009
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Abstract |
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Gas-generating devices of chlorine dioxide (ClO2)
are used as deodorant of rooms. We happened to use a
commercial tabletop deodorant canister that releases
extremely low-concentration ClO2 gas in a school
classroom as deodorant. We found retrospectively and
unexpectedly that during a period of 38 consecutive school
days the rate of schoolchildren absent from the school was
markedly lower (1.5%) in a classroom where the ClO2
device was placed than that (4.0%) in a classroom where it
was not placed. The percentages of absenteeism between these
classrooms (1.5% vs. 4.0%) were significantly (p < 0.00001)
different. The predominant causes of absenteeism during the
period were common cold and influenza. Judging from the
known virucidal activity of ClO2, our unexpected
finding in the school classrooms strongly suggests the
usefulness of extremely low-concentration ClO2
gas to prevent respiratory viral diseases in semi-closed
areas, such as theaters, hospitals and aircraft, without
necessitating evacuation.
Key words:
Chlorine dioxide, absenteeism, schoolchildren, gas,
influenza, respiratory infection, virus.
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