Why this matters The table reflects how sanitizer efficacy is influenced by multiple variables:
• Higher pH (more alkaline) reduces the antimicrobial effectiveness of chlorine. So if the pH is high (e.g., pH ~10), you need higher temperature (or more concentration) to get the same effect. • Lower temperature also reduces the rate of chemical sanitization. So if temperature is low, you need higher concentration (or lower pH) to compensate. • Concentration : At lower concentrations of chlorine, you must compensate with higher temperature (and/or favorable pH) to ensure the necessary kill or reduction of microorganisms. In other words: If conditions are less favorable (higher pH, lower temperature, lower concentration), the sanitizing solution may not reliably sanitize surfaces. The Code table gives the “minimum” conditions under which chlorine is considered acceptable for manual/mechanical sanitization operations. How to apply it When you’re in a food - service or retail establishment (or any regulated food environment) you would use this table to ensure your sanitizing solution meets all the required conditions. For example: • Say you mix a chlorine sanitizing solution at 50 ppm free chlorine, and the pH of the solution is measured at 9.0 . o That falls into the “50 - 99 ppm” range, and the pH is “pH ≤10” column. According to the table, minimum temperature must be 100 °F (38 °C) . o If your solution is only at 70 °F, that would not meet the requirement (unless local code variation says otherwise). • If instead you keep the solution at pH 8.0 (more favorable) at 50 ppm, then the “pH ≤8” column applies — the table says minimum temperature 75 °F (24 °C) . So you’d be good if temperature is ≥75 °F. • If you use 25 ppm chlorine (lower concentration), you need temperature 120 °F regardless of whether pH is ≤8 or ≤10 (in the table they show 120 °F for both). • You also must measure and track pH, temperature, and concentration of the sanitizing solution periodically (depending on your local jurisdiction) to make sure the solution is within spec.
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