There have been alarming reports of toxins affecting our safety in the kitchen. Considering the mercury in ahi sashimi to the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in canned food and rat lungworm parasites in locally grown greens, the dining room table can seem like a dangerous place. The good news is that there are steps you can take to keep toxins out of your family’s meals. Mercury in Fish

Fish is part of Hawaii’s local food source, is low in fat, high in protein and brain-supporting Omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, the ocean, and many fish in it, are filled with pollutants such as methyl mercury.

Mercury is a heavy metal, a neurotoxin that can lead to learning disorders in children, autoimmune disease and even heart problems. For this reason, health officials recommend eating ahi tuna only once a week — even less often if you’re pregnant, because fetuses are at the highest risk from mercury.

Usually larger fish have the most mercury because they are caught when they are older. According to the Hawaii State Department of Health, ahi, ono and opah have higher levels of mercury, and should be eaten less often than, for instance, mahi mahi or Hawaii’s low-mercury small, young fish such as akule and moi.

Looking to cooler waters, Alaskan wild salmon has some of the lowest mercury levels (plus the highest levels of omega-3s), as do herring and sardines.

Canned chunk light tuna has less mercury than solid white albacore. Vital Choice tuna, available online, advertises that they catch small, albacore tuna that contains much less mercury and many times the omega-3 fats found in most brands.

And Vital Choice is the only company selling canned fish that has attempted to enforce a BPA-free can policy, bringing us to another recent health alarm…Bisphenol-A.

Often referred to as BPA, this chemical is used to line metal cans and to create clear, hard plastics like water bottles. Unfortunately, studies are correlating high levels of BPA with obesity, fertility problems, breast and prostate cancers, diabetes and heart disease.

Two environmental activists from Canada, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, devised an experiment that they chronicle in the book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things. After just two days of eating only canned food microwaved in plastic containers and drinking from one of his son’s old baby bottles, Smith saw a major rise in the levels of BPA in his body.

“My levels increased over eight times,” he said. “You can only imagine what the levels in an infant would look like if after two or three years of their sole source of nutrition being a BPA baby bottle. Their levels would just be through the roof.” Smith said children are especially vulnerable to hormonally-active chemicals such as BPA while their brains and organs are developing.

To stay clear of BPA, look for food, drinks and powdered infant formula packaged in boxes or other alternatives to cans. Choose fresh or frozen food instead of canned whenever possible.

Pesticides & Parasites

Pesticides are neurotoxins, so to be safe (if you’re not buying organic), stick with fruits and vegetables with thicker rinds such as bananas, oranges and avocados, which have lower levels of pesticides in their flesh than those with more permeable skin, such as potatoes and strawberries.

Also, wash your produce thoroughly to help prevent exposure to bacteria or parasites such as angiostrongylus, or rat lung worm, the probable cause of twelve cases of eosinophilic meningitis in 2008 through 2009 on our island, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health.

A USDA report in 2007 found the culprit, a slug known as Parmarion martensi, of which are infected with the rat lung worm parasite, spread across the eastern part of the Big Island as well as in Kailua-Kona.

“It’s important to always wash raw vegetables and fruits (cleansing thoroughly) right before eating them to remove insects, parasites, bacteria and other possibly harmful contaminants,” said Dr. Sarah Park, DOH State Epidemiologist.

Rinsing fresh produce under a cold-water spray and then soaking it in distilled water for 1-2 minutes was found more effective and more economical than the other wash methods tested. Using soaps, detergents or bleach on produce can leave harmful residues.

No scientific studies have been done specifically on angiostrongylus cantonensis regarding the best produce wash to prevent rat lung worm disease. But some locals use chlorine dioxide (MMS – Miracle Mineral Solution, available online) because of its claims to kill intestinal parasites. For more information on the latest safety recommendations, go to ratlungwormhawaii.org.

http://www.bigislandweekly.com/articles/2010/03/31/read/lifestyle/lifestyle03.txt

Animal keepers and pet owners are faced with the dilemma of disinfecting and cleaning all animal spaces while at the same time causing no harm to the animals themselves, and the people who work there. Most deaths of pets are premature and unnecessary, according to many veterinarians .
The best answer to date has been to remove pets from their enclosures, scrub the habitat clean, and treat the enclosure with one of a number of nasty (and often expensive) chemicals.  It is then necessary to wash everything down, and hope that there is no dangerous contamination lingering from either the pathogens or the disinfectant. The issue is that disinfectants are generally toxic; most good disinfectants are not safe to use around pets.
The  newest approach involves the use of Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide.  Chlorine dioxide is a truly remarkable substance.!It is a fast acting broad spectrum disinfectant that also destroys almost all of the ‘bad’ bugs on contact!It is difficult to get the performance from other products while still having safety for pets who may be sensitive to more toxic chemicals..  it is extremely powerful, killing bacteria, viruses and fungi. Chlorine Dioxide creates no harmful odors; in fact it is an excellent deodorizer.
Chlorine Dioxide’s chemistry is radically different to that of chlorine by itself. Both products are oxidizing agents.  But, because of their fundamentally different chemistry they react in distinct ways with organic compounds, and as a result, generate very different byproducts. Chlorine dioxide does not affect cell walls (which is why it is safe to use around living things), while chlorine tends to react with organic matter by attacking cell walls and creating toxic and carcinogenic byproducts.)  Chlorine Dioxide disassembles organic compounds rendering them harmless.  It is this difference that explains the superior performance of chlorine dioxide.
The anti-microbial efficacy of chlorine dioxide against bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa has been repeatedly demonstrated and documented. It has a low toxicity, as verified by the EPA, is not harsh to you, the environment, or your pets. Chlorine Dioxide is a natural anti-inflammatory, along with the disinfecting properties, making it useful for wound treatment. Veterinarians have found that a mixture of chlorine dioxide and aloe vera is a safe and good approach to healing incisions and wounds. Chlorine Dioxide t is the one true deodorizer for pet owners, one which will eliminate odor, protect the environment, and cause no harm to the owner or his pets.  As a product registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be safe, harmless to pets and people, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-staining, non-bleaching, you can know you have selected the best product on the market for you and your pet.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has recently registered Chlorine Dioxide for preventing and eliminating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which causes potentially deadly infections commonly known as “staph” infections. The MRSA “super bug” is typically contracted in hospitals, in other healthcare environments, and in health clubs and locker rooms. The EPA has registered chlorine dioxide for use as a disinfectant on hard, non-porous surfaces and instruments, including those used within hospitals and other medical settings. As a no-wipe, no-rinse spray, Selectrocide chlorine dioxide can also be used on hard, non-porous surfaces in health clubs, spas, public places and swimming facilities as a treatment against MRSA. The EPA has also registered Selectrocide� as a disinfectant for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, athlete’s foot, Mycobacterium bovis (TB) and other pathogens that spread in many environments.

MRSA is usually spread by direct physical contact with those already infected or through indirect contact by touching objects (towels, clothes, sports equipment, etc.) that infected skin has contaminated. Consequently, any heavily trafficked area can be a source of infection.

According to a report by the BBC News, “Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of human infections in the skin and soft tissues, bones and joints, abscesses and normal heart valves. It flourishes in the hospital setting, producing bloodstream and surgical wound infections, including MRSA.” (news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4671585.stm)

HOW IT KILLS MRSA AND OTHER DEADLY PATHOGENS

Pure chlorine dioxide, an ideal biocide because of its ability to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, and algae at low saturation levels (parts per million) in a manner that does not allow pathogens to build resistance to the compound.

Prior to Chlorine Dioxide, healthcare and health club environments were limited to using substances like bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds that can leave residue and require higher concentrations than does chlorine dioxide to achieve the same antimicrobial efficacy.

chlorine dioxide is produced in water and sprayed, mopped, or sponged onto surfaces that require disinfection. After application, the solution is left on target surfaces and does not require rinsing. Due to the comparatively low application concentrations required to kill pathogens, Selectrocide is compatible with most materials.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MRSA AND ITS INCREASING RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS

Staphylococcus aureus (SA)-Antibiotic Resistance (General): Throughout history, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) has been a dangerous pathogen once it has successfully breached the normal defense system. The first effective antibiotic against SA, penicillin, became available in the 1940s. Soon after, SA evolved resistance to penicillin, and by the late 1950s, 50 percent of all SA strains were resistant. Today, fewer than 10 percent of SA infections can be cured with penicillin.

The next weapons against SA, methicillin and cephalosporin, became available in the 1960s and 1970s. By the late 1970s, some strains of SA had evolved resistance to these drugs. Today, as many as 50 percent of SA strains isolated from U.S. hospitals are resistant to methicillin. (Source: National Institutes of Health)

GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CHLORINE DIOXIDE

Chlorine dioxide is effective at low concentrations across a wide range of pH (roughly 4 to 9), and, because it is a gas in its natural state, dissipates upon exposure to sunlight As a consequence, it is known widely as one of the most effective inhibitors of algae, yeast, mold, fungi and viruses. However, because transporting the gas is prohibited in all but frozen forms, pure chlorine dioxide has heretofore been limited to use in large concerns that employ chemical generators, such as pulp mills (controlling slime) and municipal water systems (water purification applications).

Similarly, in cleaning and antimicrobial knockdown applications, pure chlorine dioxide has been unavailable, and only with “stabilized” solutions or acidified sodium chlorite, which are corrosive and produce significant chemical residues, could any of the advantages of chlorine dioxide be realized.

JUST ADD WATER — AND WAIT. Now, Chlordine Dioxide� brings the power of greater than 99% pure chlorine dioxide solutions to point-of-use applications. Selectrocide� produces chlorine dioxide simply by submersing the product in water. The resulting chlorine dioxide solution can be used to kill disease-bearing bacteria, yeasts, molds, fungi and algae using spraying, washing or “dip” cleaning methods.

.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

* US EPA-registered as a disinfectant against MRSA, and other potentially virulent pathogens.
* Pathogens cannot build up resistance to Selectrocide� because it kills harmful organisms by breaking down cell walls.
* Easy to use and does not require HAZMAT or complicated equipment
* Can be made on-site in specific quantities and in concentrations desired. Only tap water is required to generate the chlorine dioxide.
* Because it kills pathogens with such efficacy, Selectrocide� may reduce costs because fewer disinfection treatments may be required during a given maintenance and cleaning cycle.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30105.php

Health Freedom Alliance is always happy to read about actual studies proving the benefits of alternative medicines, especially when it’s our sponsors product MMS.
Previous research has shown the oxidizing properties and microbiological efficacies of chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Its clinical efficacies on oral malodor have been evaluated and reported only in short duration trials,moreover, no clinical studies have investigated its microbiological efficacies on periodontal and malodorous bacteria.

Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory effects of a mouthwash containing ClO2 used for 7days on morning oral malodor and on salivary periodontal and malodorous bacteria.

Methods: A randomized, double blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 15 healthy male volunteers, who were divided into 2 groups. Subjects were instructed to rinse with the experimental mouthwash containing ClO2 or the placebo mouthwash, without ClO2, twice per day for 7 days.

After a one week washout period, each group then used the opposite mouthwash for 7 days. At baseline and after 7 days, oral malodor was evaluated with Organoleptic measurement (OM), and analyzed the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulfide ((CH3)2S), the main VSCs of human oral malodor, were assessed by gas chromatography (GC).

Clinical outcome variables included plaque and gingival indices, and tongue coating index. The samples of saliva were microbiologically investigated.

Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using the polymerase chain reaction-Invader method.Results and DiscussionThe baseline oral condition in healthy subjects in the 2 groups did not differ significantly. After rinsing with the mouthwash containing ClO2 for 7 days, morning bad breath decreased as measured by the OM and reduced the concentrations of H2S, CH3SH and (CH3)2S measured by GC, were found.

Moreover ClO2 mouthwash used over a 7-day period appeared effective in reducing plaque, tongue coating accumulation and the counts of Fusobacterium nucleatum in saliva. Future research is needed to examine long-term effects, as well as effects on periodontal diseases and plaque accumulation in a well-defined sample of halitosis patients and broader population samples.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00748943

The same sanitizing agent used to rid federal office buildings of anthrax – chlorine dioxide gas – can effectively eliminate deadly bacteria from apples and other fruits and vegetables, according to Purdue University researchers.Scientists at Purdue began experiments using the gas to kill pathogens found on food long before anthrax was detected in mail sent to offices in New York and Washington, D.C., shortly after the terrorist attacks one year ago. The latest university test measured how effectively different potencies of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas used over various periods of time could kill Listeria monocytogenes cells on apples. Results of the study, published in the September issue of Food Microbiology, demonstrated that the vapor was able to eradicate all of the contaminant on the fruit’s skin and significantly reduce the bacteria in the stem cavity and the calyx, said Richard Linton, director of Purdue’s Center for Food Safety Engineering and senior author. The calyx is the apple’s bottom, directly opposite from the stem cavity.

“We see more and more cases of food-borne diseases associated with fruits and vegetables,” Linton said. “Some of this is because we encourage people, especially children and the elderly, to eat more and more of these types of foods for added health benefits. Yet these are two of the groups most susceptible to bacteria on food.

“Just 10 to 100 cells of Listeria on a piece of food can cause illness, and it’s possible for 1,000 to 10,000 cells to be on a piece of fruit. We need to develop ways to make food safer; traditional sanitation methods to remove pathogens are not effective enough to meet these new standards.”

Although Listeria is relatively rare, it is considered the most deadly of the food-borne pathogens with a 20 percent fatality rate. The Clinton administration issued a “no tolerance” edict for Listeria in processed and ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs, and in dairy products. Under the policy, if one organism is found on a piece of food, the whole batch must be discarded and/or recalled from stores, warehouses and consumers’ shelves.

In addition, the FDA requires that sanitizers be effective enough to reduce organisms by at least 100,000 fold for Listeria, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella. In this study, Linton and his team achieved this level of Listeria elimination on the apple skin. Even on the stem cavity and calyx, the gas reduced the pathogen to a far greater extent than currently possible with other methods.

Another of the paper’s authors, Purdue food science researcher Yingchan Han, said one reason Listeria was used for the study is because it’s hardy; it can survive in refrigeration and is difficult to inactivate.

“Using the chlorine dioxide gas makes it possible to reduce the bacteria before the apples are cut up or mashed, a significant breakthrough for decontamination processes at small juice-producing companies,” Han said. “They often don’t have the pasteurization heating systems necessary to meet USDA requirements for eliminating biological contaminants. These processors produce unpasteurized juice.”

The chlorine dioxide process is “extraordinarily” better than other chemical methods of eliminating pathogens on produce, he said.

In the current research, the chlorine dioxide gas, used at a concentration of 4 mg per liter for 30 minutes, lowered the Listeria organisms a minimum of more than 1,000-fold for all three areas of apple tested. On the pulp, the average was more than a 100,000-fold reduction. These results support previous test results when Purdue scientists used the gas to sanitize green peppers.

Linton said the gas is so effective because it’s a strong oxidizing agent.

“Oxidizing agents disrupt the cell membrane, in this case of the bacteria, and this causes the cell to die,” he said. “The chlorine dioxide gas is 1,000 times more effective than any other method tried so far for eliminating food-borne pathogens.”

He and Han said they don’t believe this process will work well on already cut fruits and vegetables, and not at all for some varieties, such as lettuce, because it would likely affect the color. However, they will be testing the gas on other pathogens, such as Salmonella or E. coli, and on other foods. They also will be determining ways to make the process viable for use by commercial food producers.

The other scientist involved in this study was Jinhua Du.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funded this research.

Purdue’s Center for Food Safety Engineering includes nearly 90 university scientists collaborating with USDA-Agricultural Research Service scientists to find faster, more exact ways to detect biological and chemical food-borne contaminants and to protect against them.

http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/medizin_gesundheit/bericht-12836.html

MMS is the most powerful killer of disease pathogens known to man without the toxic elements of other cleaning products. Chlorine Dioxide is use by many municipalities to purify water. Is the gold standard for food packing plants to sanitize meats, fruits and vegetables. And is used by hospitals as a disinfectant. It’s safety and effectiveness are unmatched. It has the additional benefit of being cost efficient. This makes MMS the perfect cleaning product for your home. Below are just some of the examples on how to use MMS. Bathroom
MSS is the perfect cleaner for bathrooms. There is no more powerful cleaner for mold and mildew. Activate 30 to 60 drops of MMS and add to a cup of warm water. You can use a cloth or spray bottle. (Sponges are not recommended since they harbor bacteria)
Apply to shower walls , bath tubs, toilets, floors and bathroom sinks. Make sure you spray the shower head which is wet, and warm — the ideal environment for bacteria that cause lung diseases to thrive. MMS is also ideal for bathroom grout. It not only cleans but brightens. After application to surfaces let sit for a few minutes ( a little longer for grout) and then wipe away and rinse off.

Kitchen
Keeping the kitchen free from bacteria is one of the most important elements in maintaining a clean and healthy home. Studies show kitchens can contain more bacteria then bathrooms.
One of the primary culprits in is the sponge. Kitchen sponges can accumulate food and microbes when used for long periods of time and are not thoroughly cleaned. The moisture and food particles in a dirty sponge make it a perfect environment for microorganisms to grow (such as, bacteria and fungi).
To clean your sponge and brushes activate a few drops of MMS, add a cup of water and pour into a bowl. Soak your sponges and brushes overnight a few times a week to keep them germ free.

Use a mild MMS and water mixture to clean kitchen counter tops, cutting boards, sinks (don’t forget the drain) the inside and outside of refrigerators and splash walls. Trash cans are another harbinger of bacteria that MMS is perfect for.

Food

Food borne illnesses are on the rise. They are caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause food borne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing.

To wash leafy greens and vegetables, mix 10 to 15 drops of MMS to a gallon of water (adjust measurement if your using a spray bottle) and then wash or scrub produce.

For meat, fish and poultry you can either use MMS to scrub or soak depending on your preference and the size of the food being prepared.

For scrubbing, activate 5-15 drops of MMS and add to a half cup of water (mixture can than be added to spray bottle if desired.) Rub onto the surface poultry, meat, or fish fillet. Wait about three minutes and then rinse off.

To soak, activate 5-15 drops of MMS to bowl or pan and add enough water to cover your food. Wait three minutes and then rinse. If you have multiple items to wash add a few more drops of activated MMS to your solution and repeat process.

General Home Use

MMS can replace most of your toxic cleaning products and be used as general disinfectant all over the house. This especially important if you have children. They are more susceptible to the harmful effects of chemicals. MMS leaves no toxic residue to be washed down drains or containers that end up in landfills like other cleaners that end up harming our environment.

Plants and Flowers.

Studies show that Chlorine Dioxide (activated MMS) extends the life of cut flowers by killing the bacteria that forms in the vase water and on the cut stems. Try adding just a few drops of activated MMS and a pinch of sugar to your vase water to have your flowers last longer. If your a flower lover the money saved is well worth the effort. If you have house or garden plants that are noticeably diseased trying adding six activated drops of MMS to a tablespoon of water and apply directly on the affected area on the plant, let stand for two minutes then was away.

Emergencies and First Aid.

If your ever stuck without fresh water, there is no better water purifier then MMS. Just add 1-5 drops of MMS to a gallon of water and wait 24 hours. You can speed this process up by adding lemon or lime juice, vinegar, or citric acid solution. Add the usual ratio of MMS drops to activator drops (1-5) and wait one to two hours for the ClO2 to fully dissipate.

MMS can be used as antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes. Chlorine Dioxide is quickly being added to all kinds of antiseptic creams and lotions as well toothpastes and mouth washes.

If you like fresh flowers in your home there is good news. A new study concludes that MMS(Chlorine Dioxide) extends the life of cut flowers, in some cases up to 77 percent longer. Normally an accumulation of bacteria builds up in the vase water causing premature aging of the flowers. But just a few drops of activated MMS added to the vase water helps prevent the bacteria from accumulating. Depending on how often you have fresh flowers in your home the cost savings is significant. Treatment with chlorine dioxide extends the vase life of selected cut flowers

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Andrew J. Macnish, a, , Ria T. Leonarda and Terril A. Nella

aDepartment of Environmental Horticulture, PO Box 110670, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Received 24 February 2008; accepted 27 April 2008. Available online 20 June 2008.

Abstract
The accumulation of bacteria in vase water is often associated with premature senescence in many cut flower species. In the present study, we tested the efficacy of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) to extend flower display life by preventing the build-up of bacteria in vase solutions. The addition of 2 or 10 μL L−1 ClO2 to clean deionized water extended the vase life of Alstroemeria peruviana ‘Senna’, Antirrhinum majus ‘Potomic Pink’, Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Pasha’, Gerbera jamesonii ‘Monarch’, Gypsophila paniculata ‘Crystal’ and ‘Perfecta’, Lilium asiaticum ‘Vermeer’, Matthiola incana ‘Ruby Red’ and Rosa hybrida ‘Charlotte’ flowers by 0.9–13.4 d (7–77%) relative to control (i.e. 0 μL L−1 ClO2) stems. The beneficial effects of ClO2 treatment were associated with a reduction in the accumulation of aerobic bacteria in vase water and on cut surfaces of flower stems. ClO2 treatment was also effective in maintaining or extending the vase life of A. majus ‘Potomic Pink’, Dendrathema × grandiflorum ‘Albatron’, G. paniculata ‘Perfecta’ and M. incana ‘Ruby Red’ flowers even when stems were placed into water containing 1011 CFU L−1 bacteria. The efficacy of 10 μL L−1 ClO2 in vase water containing 0.2 g L−1 citric acid and 10 g L−1 sucrose to extend the display life of G. jamesonii ‘Lorca’ and ‘Vilassar’ flowers was equal to or greater than other tested biocides (i.e. aluminum sulfate, dichloroisocyanuric acid, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, Physan 20™, sodium hypochlorite). Taken collectively, the results of the present study highlight the potential of aqueous ClO2 for use as an alternative antibacterial agent in flower vase solutions.

Keywords: Bacteria; Chlorine dioxide (ClO2); Cut flowers; 8-Hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS); Vase life; Vase solution

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.04.008

Waiting for conventional medicine to accept the many benefits of natural alternatives can be frustrating to say the least. But occasionally there is light at the end of the tunnel. A recent article showed a few doctors are finally accepting the benefits of Vitamin D in curing and preventing cancer by prescribing it to their patients. In today’s traditional healthcare, side stepping “Big Pharma” is quite a remarkable feat. Which is why at HFA we find it refreshing to come across Dr. Brady Hurst.
In dealing with H1N1 Swine flu, Dr. Brady strongly recommends taking Vitamin D, avoiding processed foods and taking MMS (Chlorine Dioxide.) Click below to view a video of Dr. Brady explaining how MMS works.

HFA recently ran an article warning our members about the rise in community based staph infections. In a follow-up article school districts in Tennessee have recently noticed several cases of staph infection among it’s student population and school workers. A professor at Middle Tennessee Sate University is now doing research to use MMS (chlorine dioxide) in killing the germs that live in sports equipment. Activated MMS (chlorine dioxide) has a long history of use in killing germs and pathogens. It is used all over the world to treat tap water, preserve food and as a sanitizer by hospitals. The tests performed by professor Newsome showed “in dramatic fashion that bacteria were markedly reduced or eliminated from the equipment.” Dr Newsome added that they are looking at a number of other uses for chlorine dioxide. Foods like spinach and tomatoes, portable water treatment, SARS and flu.

Dr. Anthony Newsome and some of his students are investigating the effectiveness of chlorine dioxide gas in killing the germs that live in sports equipment such as shoulder pads and helmets.

According to Newsome, use of the chemical to kill germs is not new. It has a long history of use as a disinfectant, and it is used worldwide to treat tap water and preserve food. Unfortunately, it is too unstable to ship as a gas and must be produced on site. Historically, this has required bulky equipment and training of personnel to operate the equipment.

What makes his research significant is the new method used to generate chlorine dioxide. Instead of bulky equipment, he is using a system involving a dry chemical powder stored in a container about the size of a salt shaker. When the powder is activated small amounts of chlorine dioxide gas is released.

The chemical system used in the tests was produced by ICA TriNova of Newnan, Ga. In 2001, Joel Tenney, the company’s executive vice president, and several other individuals with backgrounds in public health and chemical engineering developed technology for a new method of producing small amounts of chlorine dioxide to meet specific needs. Tenney says his company’s system differs from older methods of chlorine dioxide generation in that it’s portable and simple to apply.

Early in the company’s development, ICA TriNova showed that its products could be used effectively to deodorize and decontaminate military clothing and equipment, and these products are currently being used by some U.S. troops overseas to deodorize protective body armor. From these uses, the idea emerged that it might also be used to kill bacteria associated with athletic equipment such as football pads.

Recently, Tenney attended a conference where Newsome and his graduate students presented their studies about the type of microorganisms present in cooling towers. Through that chance meeting a cooperative relationship developed between Newsome and the company. Newsome and Tenney soon designed laboratory experiments at MTSU to demonstrate the bactericidal properties of chlorine dioxide using this newer technology.

Tests conducted in fall 2005 by Newsome and students showed the new chlorine dioxide generation technology could be used to kill all or significantly reduce bacteria associated with shoulder pads and football helmets. For these studies they worked closely with MTSU football equipment manager Chris Matusek.

Following these encouraging results a similar procedure was done with the cooperation of Coach Eddie Bassam and the staff at Middle Tennessee Christian School.

“For all these tests it was shown in dramatic fashion that bacteria were markedly reduced or eliminated from the equipment,” Newsome said.

This past spring, Newsome and two undergraduate students continued the research, applying Staphylococcus aureus, the staph bacterium, directly to football pads.

“One surprising observation made,” he said, “was that if staph are applied to football pads with a paintbrush and allowed to sit for several days, the greatest number of staph are found not to be on the mesh surface of the pads but rather on the underside of the mesh covering and within the foam pad itself.”

Using the chlorine dioxide gas treatment approach, his student researchers found that bacteria were killed not only on the surface, but in the mesh layer and even into the foam pad beneath.

“Traditionally the way to treat sports equipment was to wipe it down with a disinfectant,” Newsome observed. “That treats the top surface, but doesn’t get into the pores of the pads. The only way to completely eliminate the bacteria was to tear out the old pads and replace them, something that’s very costly for the average high school. This new technology allows for a simple, safe onsite intervention for hard-to-clean shared gear.”

Moreover, he added, “We’re looking at a number of other uses for these products. Foodstuffs like spinach or tomatoes could be treated in the field to improve safety without affecting the quality. We’re also evaluating medical device sterilization, portable water treatment, and other researchers are looking at biothreat response to anthrax, SARS and avian flu.”

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Findings-Suggest-New-Method-to-Fight-Staph-Infections-14492-1/

R. L. Boddie 1, S. C. Nickerson 1, and R. W. Adkinson 2
1 Mastitis Research Laboratory, Hill Farm Research Station, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Homer 71040
2 Department of Dairy Science, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803

We tested two postmilking teat dips for efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae using experimental challenge procedures recommended by the National Mastitis Council. The chlorine dioxide teat dip that contained 0.7% sodium chlorite reduced the number of new intramammary infections (IMI) caused by Staph. aureus by 86.6% and reduced new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 88.4%. The 0.5% iodophor teat dip reduced the number of new IMI caused by Staph. aureus by 92.9% and reduced the number of new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 43.4%. Teat skin and teat end conditions were evaluated before and after the study, and no deleterious effects were noted among dipped quarters compared with undipped control quarters for either teat dip.

Mirror of the full text here.

http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/12/2975