What indicates the effectiveness of chlorine solutions during sanitization?

The effectiveness of chlorine solutions during sanitization is indicated by a color change when a reagent is added to test the concentration of chlorine in the solution. This is crucial because the presence of chlorine is essential for effectively killing bacteria and other pathogens. Typically, various testing strips or chemical indicators are used, and a specific color change can signify that the chlorine concentration is at a level where it can effectively sanitize surfaces or equipment.

The smell of chlorine alone doesn't necessarily confirm its effectiveness, as the solution may still contain insufficient levels of chlorine to be effective against pathogens. Similarly, clear water does not provide any information about the concentration of chlorine, as it might still lack the required level to ensure proper sanitization. Bubbles in a chlorine solution may indicate that it’s agitated or that a reaction is occurring, but they don’t reliably indicate sanitization effectiveness either. Therefore, monitoring for a color change in the solution is the most accurate method to ensure that it has the proper concentration of chlorine for effective sanitization.