Final answer:
Quaternary sanitizer solutions should have a concentration within the range of 200 ppm to 400 ppm, but specific concentration requirements can vary based on the product and its use. It's important to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for effective sanitation. Accurate calculations of concentrations, such as in pool sanitization, are crucial to maintain safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quaternary sanitizer solutions for disinfecting food contact surfaces should have a certain concentration to be effective.
This concentration is often specified by the manufacturer or regulatory bodies. The concentrations are usually in the range of 200 ppm to 400 ppm, but it is critical to follow the guidelines or instructions provided on the sanitizer's label as it can vary.
For example, to achieve a concentration of 3.0 ppm of chlorine in a pool that would be considered sanitary, a certain amount of chlorine has to be added.
If a typical pool contains 21,200 kg of water (approximately 5,000 gallons), then the required mass of chlorine to be added to obtain a concentration of 3.0 ppm would be calculated as follows: 21,200 kg of water × 3.0 ppm.
Since ppm stands for parts per million, this translates to 3.0 mg of chlorine per kg of water. Therefore, the amount of chlorine needed would be 21,200 kg × 3.0 mg/kg = 63,600 mg or 63.6 g of chlorine.
Understanding the conversion among these concentration units like parts per million (ppm) and parts per billion (ppb), and practicing calculations can help ensure the correct dosage of sanitizers and maintain safe levels of various chemicals in different applications.