Upon further testing, it became evident that the active compound chlorine dioxide has many unique chemical qualities that ordinary chlorine did not. The more electrons that a compound can either donate / receive has enormous implications on its ability to perform at a molecular level. For example, a free radical is a problem as it is inherently an unstable molecule - ONLY being neutralised when finding the extra electrons to balance it. EACH & every time a free radical strips electrons from other stable molecules damage will be done - setting up a whole cascade of knock on reactions (most of them being negative)!.

As time went on, it become evident that the active compound chlorine dioxide was lethal to most water borne pathogens - hence its wide spread adoption as a water sanitizer in municipal water supplies.