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Sulphur dioxide as a mild antiseptic agent

• An acidic solution (low pH) of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) can be used as a antiseptic wash.
  
  
• The low pH converts most of the SO₂ (sulphur dioxide) added, into the gaseous or molecular form of SO₂
  
  
• Care needs to be taken as high levels of gaseous SO₂ can be a respiratory irritant
  
  
• Note that it is not feasible or necessarily desirable to create a sterile winery environment.
  
  The aim is good housekeeping and maintaining a clean environment.