Effectiveness of Biocides
Effectiveness of biocides against bacteria, fungi and algae.
Biocide effectiveness against bacteria, fungi and algae:
Oxidizing Biocides
Chlorine (Cl2)
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - good
- algae - good
Usable pH-range 5 to 8.
Chlorine is a powerful oxidant and is used in bleaching and disinfectants, as well as an essential reagent in the chemical industry. As a common disinfectant, chlorine compounds are used in swimming pools to keep them clean and sanitary.
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2)
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - good
- algae - good
Insensitive to pH.
As one of several oxides of chlorine - it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching.
Bromine
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - good
- algae - poor
Usable pH-range 5 to 10.
Bromine, like chlorine, is used in maintenance of swimming pools. It is also used in water purification compounds, disinfectants and insecticides.
Ozone
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - good
- algae - good
Usable pH-range 7 to 9.
Ozone is used to disinfect laundry in hospitals, food factories, care homes etc, to disinfect water in place of chlorine, deodorize air and objects, to kill bacteria on food or on contact surfaces, to sanitize swimming pools and spas, to kill insects ...
Non-Oxidizing Biocides
Carbamate
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - poor
- algae - poor
Usable pH-range 5 to 9.
Used in insecticides.
Organobromide (DBNPA)
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - poor
- algae - poor
Usable pH-range 6 to 8.5.
An effective fumigant.
Methylene bis(thiocyanate) (MBT)
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - poor
- algae - poor
Decomposes above pH 8.
Methylene bis(thiocyanate) is used as a microbiocide/microbiostat, fungicide/fungistat, algicide, and disinfectant.
Isothiazoline
- bacteria - excellent
- fungi - good
- algae - good
Insensitive to pH.
Triazine
- bacteria - no control
- fungi - no control
- algae - excellent
Usable pH-range 6 to 9.
Triazine compounds are often used as the basis for various herbicides.
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