Potential Health Risks of Chlorine In Drinking Water
While chlorine is great for keeping our swimming pools clean, it's not so great for our health when we accidentally drink it.
Some of the more common illnesses caused by chlorine in drinking water include:
Cancer is a disease that occurs when the body's cells start to grow out of control.
Chlorine is linked to cancer because it can damage DNA.
DNA is the blueprint for our cells, and damaged DNA cells can mutate and grow out of control.
When chlorine comes into contact with organic matter, it forms a chemical called chloroform.
Chloroform is a carcinogen, and carcinogens are compounds that cause cancer.
Many environmental pollutants are carcinogens, including chemicals found in common consumer products.
Tobacco smoke is the best-known example of a carcinogen.
Asthma is a condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe.
Airborne allergens, like pollen and dust, are the most common triggers.
There are a few reasons why chlorinated water can cause asthma…
The first reason is that chlorine can react with organic matter to form chloroform vapor.
One of the ways that chloroform can cause asthma is by irritating the lining of the lungs.
Chlorine can also react with other molecules in the air to form other harmful chemicals, like dioxins, which can also cause asthma.
Another reason is that chlorine can be an allergen. Allergens are substances that can cause an allergic reaction.
Several studies have found that chlorinated water can increase the risk of reproductive problems.
Because the chlorine in the water can damage the lining of the vagina, making it more susceptible to infections.
Drinking chlorinated water can increase the risk of miscarriage.
One study found that women who drank chlorinated water were more likely to miscarry.
Another study found that men who drank chlorinated water had a higher risk of sperm abnormalities.
Kidney disease is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who drank chlorinated water had a higher risk of kidney disease.
The study followed more than 3,000 people for 12 years and found that those who drank chlorinated water were more likely to develop kidney disease than those who didn't.
Some researchers believe that chlorinated water can damage the proteins in the kidney cells, causing them to leak.
When these proteins leak, they can cause inflammation and damage to the kidney.
The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that regulate metabolism.
Chlorine can disrupt the production of these hormones, leading to thyroid problems.
Chlorine can mess up the production of thyroid hormones because it can be an allergen.
Remember, allergens are substances that can cause an allergic reaction, and the chlorine in water can be an allergen!
One potential reason why an allergic reaction can disturb the production of thyroid hormones is that allergens can cause inflammation.
Inflammation can interfere with the production of hormones by the thyroid gland.
One study found that people who drank chlorinated water were more likely to have an underactive thyroid.
A study published in the journal Circulation found that people who drank chlorinated water had a higher risk of heart disease.
The study followed more than 2,000 people for 12 years and found that those who drank chlorinated water were more likely to develop heart disease than those who didn't drink chlorinated water.
Chlorinated water might increase the risk of heart disease because chlorine can react with dioxins.
Dioxins are chemicals that form when chlorine reacts with other molecules in water.
They can be toxic and carcinogenic, which means that they can damage the heart by causing inflammation.
Another potential reason is that chlorine can be an allergen that can cause an allergic reaction.
Allergens can also cause an immune system response that leads to inflammation elsewhere in the body.
This inflammation can damage cells and tissues, including the cells of the heart.
Chlorine can also cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
A study found that people who drank chlorinated water had a higher risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Because chlorine can react with other molecules in the water to form harmful chemicals, like dioxins.
This inflammation can kill cells and damage tissues of the brain.
8. Immune System Problems
Well, chlorine is a chemical that kills bacteria — that's one of its main uses, after all.
But our bodies need some bacteria. In fact, we have more bacterial cells in our bodies than human cells!
These good bacteria are important for our health.
They help us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from disease-causing bacteria.
When chlorine kills the good bacteria in our bodies, it makes us more susceptible to illnesses.
It is important to note that there is no definitive proof that chlorine in drinking water is the sole cause of these diseases.
There are many other factors, such as lifestyle and genetic, that can contribute to someone developing these conditions.
With that said, you should still to take steps to reduce your exposure to chlorinated water.
A Closer Look at the Science of Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. It is a yellow-green gas at room temperature.
Chlorine is a halogen, found in group 17 of the periodic table, which means it has seven electrons in its outer shell. This electron configuration makes chlorine very reactive and, as a result, it is often used as a disinfectant.
Chlorine is found in nature in small amounts, usually combined with other elements such as sodium (salt), potassium, or magnesium.
It is also produced artificially and used in a wide variety of products and processes.
The most common use for chlorine is in water treatment to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.
Chlorine is also used in swimming pools to disinfect the water and keep it safe for swimmers.
Are There Safe Levels of Chlorine In Water?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for chlorine in water at 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 4 parts per million (ppm).
This is the level of chlorine that does not pose a significant health risk.
The EPA has also set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for chlorine in water at 4 mg/L or 4 ppm.
This is the highest level of chlorine allowed in public water supplies.
While chlorine is an effective disinfectant, it can also make your water taste and smell like a swimming pool.
This is because chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, such as leaves and dirt, to form chloramines.
Chloramines are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are safe at low levels. However, they can give your water an unpleasant taste and odor!
If your water tastes and smells like a swimming pool, it is probably because the levels of chloramines in your water are too high.
This can happen if there is a problem with the water treatment process or if there is a leak in the pool chlorination system.
Here's What You Need to Do If Your Water Tastes Like a Swimming Pool
The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself!
If your water tastes and smells like a swimming pool, there are a few things you can do to improve the taste:
- Pour the water into a clean, empty container and store it in the fridge for a few hours. This will help to remove some of the chlorine taste.
- Boil the water for one minute to kill any microorganisms that may be present.
- Use a water filter to remove the chlorine taste and odor. There are many different types of water filters available, so make sure to choose one that is designed to remove chloramines.
- You can also contact your local water utility to ask about the levels of chloramines in your water. They may be able to adjust the water treatment process to reduce the levels of chloramines.
While the MCLs set by the EPA protect public health, they don't take into account individual susceptibility to disease!
Some people may be more sensitive to chlorine than others.
So if you're concerned about the levels of chlorine in your water, you may want to install a water filter.
There are many different types of water filters on the market.
Some filters are designed to remove specific contaminants, while others are designed to remove a wide range of contaminants.
If you're not sure which type of filter to choose, you can contact a certified water specialist.
They will be able to help you select a filter that's right for your needs.
Should You Install a Water Filter In Your Home?
If you're concerned about the levels of chlorine in your water, make sure to get it tested and install a water filter if needed.
It's better to be safe than sorry!
The most effective way to remove chloramines from your water is with a water filter.
There are many different types of water filters on the market, but not all of them are effective at removing chlorine.
For example, the most common type of water filter is a carbon filter.
Carbon filters are made from activated carbon, which is a form of carbon that has been treated to make it porous.
As water passes through a carbon filter, the chlorine molecules become trapped in the pores of the carbon.
While carbon filters are effective at removing chlorine from water, they are not effective at removing chloramines.
Reverse osmosis (RO) filters, on the other hand, are very effective at removing chloramines, as well as other contaminants like lead and bacteria.
RO filters work by using a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants from water.
The membrane allows water molecules to pass through and traps contaminants on the other side.
No matter which type of water filter you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
If you don't replace or clean the filter regularly, it won't be effective at removing chlorine from your water.
Cloud Water Filters are affordable, high-end RO systems that remove up to 99.9% of harmful toxins and leave your water tasting great (not like a swimming pool!).
So, if you're concerned about the quality of your city's water, or you're just tired of drinking water that tastes like a swimming pool...
