Chlorine is a lifesaver in many ways. It is routinely added to drinking water supplies around the world to keep them safe for human consumption and to prevent diseases that have killed a large percentage of the human population in some cities in the past. The addition of chlorine to London’s drinking water in the mid-nineteenth century, for example, significantly reduced the number of cases of typhoid, cholera, and dysentery, as well as other common waterborne illnesses of the time. Nonetheless, other chlorine effects on health and the environment are hazardous to humans, despite its beneficial effects and lifesaving reputation.
When chlorine reacts with organic matter in water supplies and sewage systems, it breaks down. Trihalomethanes, which include chloroform among other substances, are the main byproducts of this chlorination process. THMs, or trihalomethanes, have been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as rectal and bladder cancers. Officials from the Department of Health have yet to agree on whether chlorine is a carcinogen.
Anyone who has ever spent time in a chlorinated pool knows that the chemical dries out the hair and skin, as anyone who has ever swum in one knows. Swimmers who do a lot of swimming may notice that the chemical irritates their skin and eyes. Ozone is a chlorine-free alternative in swimming pools, but it does not last as long as chlorine and is considered an expensive and difficult-to-adapt alternative.
When working with or around chlorine, there are also more serious chlorine effects to consider. For someone with asthma or other lung conditions, it can be extremely irritating, if not dangerous. Chlorine can also cause irritation of the eyes and skin, as well as coughing and throat dryness.
Chlorine gas is extremely toxic. It was even used as chemical warfare by armies in the early nineteenth century. Pesticides, paper manufacturing and recycling, plastics, and the manufacture of other chemicals all contain it today. It whitens and removes stains as a component of laundry bleach, and it can also remove mold. If it comes into contact with the skin in its liquid gas form, it can cause frostbite. When using chlorine, a strong warning is usually given because if it accidentally mixes with ammonia, the result could be fatal for anyone inhaling the mixed gases.
Inhaling chlorine should be avoided. Its strong odor serves as a good warning signal in the event of accidental exposure. When chlorine is combined with other substances, such as turpentine, caution should be exercised because the resulting compound is explosive.