Chlorine In Water Research Paper
In what ways does chlorine in water affect our bodies?
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in water to prevent bacterial growth and transmission of harmful viruses, however studies show that the use of chlorine in our water can have serious negative impacts on our bodies. Chlorine is a chemical element which appears as a form of greenish-yellow gas but also appears in liquid and solid form, it is used widely in our daily lives. From our drinking water to our swimming pools, we use chlorine to cleanse the water of harmful bacteria and waterborne diseases despite the effect it has on our health.
Most swimming pools use chlorine as a disinfectant, however long-term exposure to the water can be very harmful, this is due to the production and release of toxic gases which occur in chlorinated indoor pools. The inhalation of these gases can ill our respiratory system. When chlorine is dissolved in water the resulting products are hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid (Cl2 + H2O → HOCl +HCl). Hypochlorous acid is what sanitizes the pool, killing the microorganisms which may be carrying viruses. The chlorine molecules within the HOCl kill the bacteria by destroying their cell walls and proteins, the HOCl compound continues to …show more content…
Chlorine in the pool reacts with organic matter, such as urine, sweat, and saliva, to produce disinfectant by products (chloramines). The main chloramines found in pools is nitrogen trichloride (NH3 + 3 HOCl → NCl3 + 3 H2O) ammonia (NH3). Nitrogen trichloride is the most vaporous chloramine and is easily released into the air, this gas causes reactions experienced by some swimmers. Recent studies suggest that long-time exposure to these chloramine compounds can cause the skin and hair to dry and they may even cause
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in water to prevent bacterial growth and transmission of harmful viruses, however studies show that the use of chlorine in our water can have serious negative impacts on our bodies. Chlorine is a chemical element which appears as a form of greenish-yellow gas but also appears in liquid and solid form, it is used widely in our daily lives. From our drinking water to our swimming pools, we use chlorine to cleanse the water of harmful bacteria and waterborne diseases despite the effect it has on our health.
Most swimming pools use chlorine as a disinfectant, however long-term exposure to the water can be very harmful, this is due to the production and release of toxic gases which occur in chlorinated indoor pools. The inhalation of these gases can ill our respiratory system. When chlorine is dissolved in water the resulting products are hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid (Cl2 + H2O → HOCl +HCl). Hypochlorous acid is what sanitizes the pool, killing the microorganisms which may be carrying viruses. The chlorine molecules within the HOCl kill the bacteria by destroying their cell walls and proteins, the HOCl compound continues to …show more content…
Chlorine in the pool reacts with organic matter, such as urine, sweat, and saliva, to produce disinfectant by products (chloramines). The main chloramines found in pools is nitrogen trichloride (NH3 + 3 HOCl → NCl3 + 3 H2O) ammonia (NH3). Nitrogen trichloride is the most vaporous chloramine and is easily released into the air, this gas causes reactions experienced by some swimmers. Recent studies suggest that long-time exposure to these chloramine compounds can cause the skin and hair to dry and they may even cause