What are calcium hypochlorite disinfectant tablets used for?

In an era where public health and industrial safety are increasingly prioritized, disinfection products play an irreplaceable role across medical, agricultural, industrial, and civilian sectors. Among these, calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets have become one of the most widely used chlorine-based disinfection products globally due to their high efficiency, convenience, and stability. Whether for sterilizing and purifying urban water supply systems, or in scenarios such as hospitals, food processing, swimming pool water treatment, and emergency epidemic prevention, calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets demonstrate significant application value.

1. Composition and Mechanism of Action of Calcium Hypochlorite Disinfectant Tablets

Calcium hypochlorite (chemical formula Ca(ClO)₂) is a white or grayish-white granular or powdered solid with strong oxidizing properties and a distinct chlorine odor. It is a stable, highly effective disinfectant. Its active ingredient—effective chlorine content—typically ranges between 65% and 70%. When reacting with water, it generates hypochlorous acid (HClO) with potent oxidizing power. Its core mechanism involves releasing hypochlorous acid molecules upon dissolution in water, which act upon the cellular structures of microorganisms. Electrically neutral hypochlorous acid molecules penetrate the cell membranes of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. Their strong oxidizing power then destroys proteins, enzyme systems, and genetic material (such as DNA or RNA), achieving disinfection and sterilization.

During tablet manufacturing, producers typically incorporate appropriate stabilizers, release retardants, binders, and compression aids. This enables long-term storage at room temperature and allows for gradual dissolution in water, continuously releasing available chlorine to achieve stable, sustained germicidal efficacy.

2. Primary Applications of Calcium Hypochlorite Disinfection Tablets

(1) Public Water Supply and Drinking Water Disinfection

Calcium hypochlorite disinfectant tablets are extensively used for disinfecting and purifying drinking water in municipal water treatment plants, rural water supply systems, and emergency water supply equipment. Their rapid dissolution rate and high available chlorine content enable swift elimination of pathogens including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. Proper dosage does not affect water taste or safety, with residual chlorine levels meeting World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards.

(2) Swimming Pool and Landscape Water Disinfection

Open water bodies like swimming pools, hot springs, and fountains are prone to algae and bacterial growth, compromising water quality and human health.

Calcium hypochlorite disinfectant tablets continuously release effective chlorine to maintain clear, transparent water and prevent algae proliferation. Their ease of use—either direct投放 or integration with automatic chlorination systems—makes them the preferred agent for pool water management.

(3) Household Daily Disinfection

Includes cleaning tableware, children's toys, pet supplies, and the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Due to hypochlorous acid's low skin irritation, it is safe for use in maternal and infant households for disinfecting baby clothes or toys without concerns about residual hazards.

(4) Medical and Public Health Fields

In hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and public health epidemic prevention, calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets are widely used for:

- Disinfecting medical equipment, operating room floors and walls, and hospital ward air;

- Emergency disinfection for infectious disease control (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, dengue fever, cholera);

- Sterilizing medical waste and wastewater treatment systems.

Its highly effective ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores makes it one of the emergency epidemic prevention supplies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

(5) Food Processing and Aquaculture Industries

Calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablet is commonly used for sanitation in food processing workshops, tableware, and drinking water systems.

- In food factories: Sterilizing and cleaning equipment, floors, cold storage facilities, and packaging containers;

- In livestock and poultry farms: Disinfecting drinking water, cleaning environments, and treating manure to reduce animal disease transmission.

As its oxidation products ultimately convert to chloride ions and water, it causes minimal environmental pollution and complies with food safety standards.

(6) Industrial and Wastewater Treatment

In industrial water and municipal wastewater treatment, calcium hypochlorite  disinfection tablet can be used for:

- Sterilizing and deodorizing wastewater to prevent microbial pipe blockages;

- Inhibiting algae and slime formation in industrial cooling towers and heat exchanger systems;

- Bleaching and sterilization in industries such as papermaking, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

(7) Emergency Disinfection and Disaster Prevention

During emergencies like earthquakes, floods, or conflicts, drinking water is highly susceptible to contamination. Calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets, being compact, portable, and easy to use, are essential disinfection supplies in emergency kits. They rapidly purify water sources, preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

3. Comparative Advantages of Calcium Hypochlorite Disinfection Tablets Over Traditional Disinfectants

(1) Stability and Shelf Life

Liquid hypochlorous acid decomposes and loses efficacy when exposed to light, high temperatures, or metal ions, requiring rapid consumption after opening. Disinfection tablets significantly enhance stability through solid encapsulation technology (e.g., individual sachets), maintaining a 2-year shelf life when unopened. Dissolved disinfectant solution can be stored for 30 days under light-protected conditions.

(2) Portability and Cost-Effectiveness

Liquid disinfectants are bulky and inconvenient to carry, whereas tablets are lightweight and individually packaged for easy portability. Taking the Lingke brand as an example, one tablet can produce 500ml of disinfectant solution, resulting in lower per-use costs.

(3) Enhanced Safety

Traditional disinfectants require precise dilution, and improper handling may pose irritation or corrosion risks. Disinfection tablets eliminate concentration errors by standardizing dissolution levels (e.g., 900mg/L), lowering usage barriers.

(4) Environmental Friendliness and Versatility

Calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets contain no harmful components like phenol or alcohol. They decompose without residual pollution, making them suitable for sensitive populations (e.g., children, pets) and environmentally stringent settings.

4. Usage Methods and Precautions

(1) Usage Concentration: 

Solution concentration typically ranges from 50mg/L to 200mg/L depending on application;

(2) Usage Methods:

- Drinking Water Disinfection: Add approximately 2–5mg of available chlorine per liter of water;

- Swimming Pools: Add 1–2g of calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets per cubic meter of water;

- Environmental surfaces: Dilute at a ratio of 1:100 to 1:500 before spraying or wiping;

(3) Precautions:

- Avoid direct contact with acids, flammable substances, or organic materials to prevent chemical reactions that may produce chlorine gas.

- Store in a cool, dry place. Dissolved disinfectant solution should be kept in a shaded area away from sunlight and heat sources to prevent accelerated decomposition due to light exposure.

- Follow specified ratios: Concentration requirements vary by application; refer to instructions to avoid excessive or insufficient concentrations.

- Prepare and use solutions immediately; prolonged storage causes loss of available chlorine.

- Avoid mixing: Do not combine with other cleaning agents to prevent chemical reactions that reduce disinfection efficacy or generate harmful gases.

5. Development Trends of Calcium Hypochlorite Disinfection Tablets

Future trends primarily manifest in the following areas:

(1) Development of high-purity and high-stability products: Utilizing microencapsulation technology to enhance storage safety;

(2) Integration with smart dosing and automated control systems: Achieving precise chlorination through online monitoring equipment;

(3) Multifunctional composite products: Combining with functions like algae removal, deodorization, and iron removal to expand into comprehensive water treatment markets;

(4) Green and eco-friendly development: Reducing chlorine byproducts (e.g., trihalomethanes) to enhance ecological safety.

As a highly effective, broad-spectrum, and safe chlorine-based disinfection product, calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets play an increasingly vital role in safeguarding human health, improving water quality, and elevating public sanitation standards. They not only meet traditional water treatment and environmental sanitation needs but also demonstrate immense potential in modern industry, emergency epidemic prevention, and international aid.

With technological advancements and expanding application scenarios, future calcium hypochlorite disinfection tablets will become more intelligent and eco-friendly, evolving into an indispensable force in daily cleaning and epidemic prevention systems.