Storage-stable aqueous solutions of chlorine dioxide and methods for preparing and using them

An aqueous chlorine dioxide solution containing about 1000 ppm by weight or less of total impurities, wherein the impurities are ions comprising:

• 1,000 ppm by weight or less of sodium ions;
• 200 ppm by weight or less of calcium ions;
• 1 ppm by weight or less of manganese ions;
• 100 ppm or less of magnesium ions;
• 100 ppm or less of sulfate ions;
• 100 ppm or less of nitrate ions;
• 1 ppm or less of potassium ions;
• 100 ppm or less of bicarbonate ions, and
• 100 ppm or less of iron ions,
• wherein the concentration of chlorine dioxide in the solution is at least 1000 ppm by weight, and
• wherein the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution retains at least 75% of the original chlorine dioxide after 90 days at 25° C. when stored in an amber glass bottle.