Chlorine is a chemical element with the atomic number 17 and the element symbol Cl, which belongs to the group of halogens. Chlorine does not occur in nature in elemental form, but only bound in various compounds, such as chloride . Chlorine occurs in the form of the anion Cl-. Chlorine or chloride is most commonly found in sodium chloride (table salt). In this form it is a large component in seawater.
Chlorine occurs in huge quantities in nature. It can mainly be found in the form of sodium chloride, which makes up the majority of dissolved salts in the world's oceans. Hardly any household needs this as table salt.
It can also be found in a wide variety of technical and chemical products. In particular, it is found in the form of chlorine gas or hydrogen chloride gas, the latter when dissolved in water gives hydrochloric acid. It is also an integral part of various plastics such as polyvinychloride.
Fortunately, but also unfortunately, the water in swimming pools is also chlorinated for the purpose of disinfection.
Permitted occurrence in drinking water
It is pointless to worry about the chlorine content in the form of chloride in seawater, especially since it is not suitable for drinking water . However, you should not drink swimming pool water either.
The limit value for free chlorine in drinking water is currently 250 mg/l according to both the German Drinking Water Ordinance of 2001 and the EU Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC as well as the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality 2006. However, less is better than more, as the substances used for chlorination do not always only have a disinfecting effect, but can also cause health problems in humans.
Health consequences
Direct contact with chloride in the form of sea water or table salt is completely harmless to humans. Chloride is even needed by humans to regulate the water balance and the chemical transmission of signals in the brain and nervous system.
As with many other substances, it is primarily the mass that determines the toxic effect. Salt water is under no circumstances allowed to be drunk by wrecked sailors. The salt it contains binds water molecules, thickens the blood, draws fluid out of the red blood cells and makes them unable to carry the necessary oxygen.
For the same reason, people rescued from salt water must first be placed under medical supervision, as the sea water remaining in the lungs can draw additional fluid from the blood. This is how the lungs are filled. In this way, it further prevents gas exchange between the lungs and blood, i.e. the vital supply of oxygen to the blood. The blood also becomes thicker and fluid is drawn out of the red blood cells. This affects their ability to transport oxygen.
Chlorine gas and hydrogen chloride gas are produced, among other things, by the evaporation of hydrochloric acid. Neither should be inhaled under any circumstances as this can cause severe chemical burns.
Bathers should also exercise caution in the swimming pool. In addition to the useful properties of disinfection, the chlorine products often also attack the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose in sensitive individuals. In addition to chlorine eyes, this can also lead to allergic reactions.
Chlorine in water treatment
In water treatment , chlorine is used to disinfect water and kill bacteria. This takes advantage of the reaction between chlorine and water, which creates hypochlorite. This effect can be exploited for both drinking water and swimming pool water. Because the use of chlorine can produce toxic substances, people are increasingly refraining from using chlorine as a disinfectant. An alternative material is, for example, our Baxero.
Alternatives to chlorination
An increasingly popular alternative to using chlorine to disinfect drinking water is UV disinfection. The water to be treated is passed through a reactor, which is irradiated using a UV lamp. The intensity of the UV light is used in such a way that germs and bacteria are killed.
There are a few points to consider when using this method of drinking water disinfection to ensure a safe supply of germ-free drinking water .
