Antimicrobial gas releasing agents and systems and methods for using the same

An entrained polymer comprising:

• a. a base polymer;
• b. a chlorine dioxide gas releasing agent comprising a chlorite salt;
• and
• c. a channeling agent, wherein the entrained polymer features channels though the entrained polymer formed of the channeling agent;
• and
• wherein the entrained polymer on a per gram basis releases the chlorine dioxide gas in a concentration of 3 ppm to 1000 ppm, optionally 10 ppm to 1000 ppm, optionally 30 ppm to 1000 ppm, optionally 60 ppm to 1000 ppm, optionally 100 ppm to 1000 ppm, optionally 10 ppm to 800 ppm, optionally 30 ppm to 600 ppm, optionally 60 ppm to 600 ppm, optionally 100 ppm to 500 ppm, wherein chlorine dioxide gas release is initiated and the concentration of the chlorine dioxide gas is measured using either of the following test conditions:
• i. a 2 g piece of the entrained polymer is placed in a 2.1 L mason jar where a piece of filter paper saturated with 1 mL water is placed such that the filter paper is not in direct contact with the entrained polymer, the mason jar being enclosed by a lid;
• or
• ii. a 2 g piece of the entrained polymer is placed in a 2.1 L mason jar where a sponge that has absorbed 10 mL water is placed within the mason jar such that the sponge is not in direct contact with the entrained polymer, the mason jar being enclosed by a lid.