The Disadvantages of Chlorine

Chlorine is one of the most common gases used in our homes. The name for it is “chlorine” although other chemical names have been used. Chlorine gas is a colorless, odorless gas that is usually released during the burning of any kind of fuel (in the case of gas stoves and kettles). This is also the gas that makes the water turn green when you flush it down the toilet. The name for the material that makes up this gas is “hydrogen fluoride”.

 

Chlorine serves important purposes. It is vital for disinfection. It also deodorizes the home. Chlorine has some beneficial effects on bacteria and on the growth of those bacteria. However, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of chlorine gas that you might find interesting.

types of impurities

There are some advantages to using chlorine. Chlorine has the ability to neutr

alize many types of impurities in the water, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. Chlorine reacts with many other substances in the water to form a stable compound that kills these impurities. Chlorine can also react with organic materials in the water, such as salt, to form sodium hypochlorite. Hypochlorite does not react with bacteria or other organic matter, but it will react with large amounts of chlorine gas to form ozone.

 

There are some disadvantages to using chlorine, as well. Chlorine gas reacts with organic compounds in the water to form chloramines. These compounds are toxic and can cause immediate irritation to the respiratory tract. Ingestion of chloramines can cause death. The amount of chlorine that is produced in the water varies depending on the concentration of organic compounds present. When a large amount of organic compounds are present, a large amount of chloramines can be produced.

 

Chlorine is used at a public water treatment facility for two primary reasons. The first purpose is to kill any pathogenic bacteria in the raw water before it is released into the aquatic life. It is added to disinfect the water through two different methods. Sub-micron filtration removes cysts, the most threatening kind of pathogen that can be found in raw water. Reverse osmosis systems use membrane pressure to remove larger particles, while sub-micron filtration relies on water flow.

purpose of chlorination

The second purpose of chlorination is to eliminate hazardous materials, such as pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemicals. This is the standard across the world for public drinking water treatment. However, in the United States, chlorination is required only for private domestic use, except in case of emergencies, when chlorine may not be enough to protect people. Chlorination of river water is usually a part of a larger purification process called flocculation, where highly pressurized steam is used to pass through the water, killing any microbes in the process.

 

Disinfection by chlorination has many disadvantages, although it is one of the cheapest and most common forms of public water treatment. Chlorine vapors are irritating and smell bad. They also create dryness in the mouth and eyes, and can aggravate respiratory tract infections. Sometimes, people with asthma have difficulty taking in sufficient doses of chlorine gas to make them feel better. Inhaling large amounts of chlorine gas has also been proven to contribute to headaches.

 

Adding chlorine to water is unnecessary for disinfection, and adds unnecessary risk to your family. If you choose to install chlorination in your home, you should make sure to research the different types of systems that are available and the levels of chlorine they contain. Some of the most advanced systems include a special chemical that converts excess chlorine into harmless carbon dioxide. Others simply use a pressurized tank that holds chlorine gas, along with water and other chemicals that react with the chlorine to form the necessary disinfection agents. There are many additional options to consider in the choice between chlorine and chlorination.