Sodium chlorite, when acidified gives off a toxic gas (chlorine dioxide). Care must be taken to use either closed equipment or adequate ventilation. Start at room temperature and heat to 190-200'F over 30 min. Hold 1 h. Cool and give antichlor as follows: Run 2 g/l sodium bisulfite for 20 min at 140'F followed by two warm rinses. Note: It is always more efficient to bleach continuously by the rapid method if the equipment is available and the yardage to be processed large enough.