What percentage of a sodium hypochlorite solution is typically lost at room temperature over a month?

Sodium hypochlorite is often used as a disinfectant in water treatment processes, but it is susceptible to degradation over time, particularly when stored at room temperature. Typically, a sodium hypochlorite solution can lose about 4-6% of its available chlorine potency when stored in appropriate conditions for a month. This degradation is influenced by several factors, including temperature and exposure to light.

The percentage loss indicated in the correct answer reflects realistic expectations for sodium hypochlorite stability under common storage conditions. At room temperature, its reactivity and the breakdown of the compound lead to a gradual decrease in effectiveness, which is critical to consider for maintaining water quality standards in treatment processes.

In contrast, lower percentages would underestimate the instability of sodium hypochlorite solutions, while higher percentages would overstress their susceptibility to degradation. Understanding this behavior is essential for effective management of treatment chemicals and ensuring the longevity of their disinfectant properties.