BIOCIDAL EFFICACY OF A FLOCCULATING EMERGENCY WATER-PURIFICATION TABLET

Chlor-Floc (CF) emergency water purification tablets were tested for b actericidal, virucidal,, and cysticidal efficacy in water at temperatu res ranging from 5 to 25 degrees C. The minimal required log reduction was achieved for bacteria, Giardia mirus, and rotavirus, but CF did n ot achieve the required log reduction of poliovirus at any of the temp eratures or times investigated. The biocidal properties of the CF tabl et were equivalent to if not greater than those of the Globaline iodin e tablet, and the CF tablet was a more rapid cysticide under several p otential use conditions. Therefore, it is a suitable substitute for io dine tablets for emergency purification of drinking water. Clarificati on of turbid waters was effective, but filtration through a cloth is n ecessary to prevent flocculated sediment from entering the canteen. Th e CF tablets met military requirements for emergency water purificatio n and are safe and acceptable for use by the military.