Chlorine is toxic why is it in water

Is drinking chlorine harmful? Drinking water that contains chlorine will not hurt you immediately, but it may have long-term health effects. Clean Your Water Today. At the concentrations found in drinking water, chlorine is nontoxic to humans. Many municipalities add chlorine to their water to help kill harmful organisms such as viruses and bacteria that could make us sick if we ingested them. This disinfecting ability is also why swimming pool facilities add chlorine to their water.

People started adding chlorine to water as early as the s, when they realized it had disinfectant properties. During that time, when water went untreated, it was common for people to contract waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. The initial introduction of chlorine as a disinfectant helped to lower disease rates and keep city-dwellers safe.

We now know there are other ways to treat bacteria in water , such as with an Ultraviolet Light commonly used by homeowners with well water. Some, such as chloroform, are already treated by most local water systems. Many others, however, are not being regulated at the local or federal level. More alarming, the study finds, is that other compounds that aren't detected may be detrimental to long-term health. This includes two forms of the toxic compound and known carcinogen BDA, which haven't been discovered in drinking water until this study.

Yip explained that BDA molecules are so small and lightweight that they tend to be hard to differentiate from other molecules present in water. Immediate signs and symptoms of chlorine exposure During or immediately after exposure to dangerous concentrations of chlorine, the following signs and symptoms may develop: Blurred vision Burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin if exposed to gas.

Skin injuries similar to frostbite can occur if it is exposed to liquid chlorine Burning sensation in the nose, throat, and eyes Coughing Chest tightness Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Thesemay appear immediately if high concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled, or they may be delayed if low concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled.

Fluid in the lungs pulmonary edema that may be delayed for a few hours Nausea and vomiting Watery eyes Wheezing Showing these signs or symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to chlorine.

What the long-term health effects are Long-term complications may occur after breathing in high concentrations of chlorine. Complications are more likely to be seen in people who develop severe health problems such as fluid in the lungs pulmonary edema following the initial exposure.

How people can protect themselves, and what they should do if they are exposed to chlorine Leave the area where the chlorine was released and get to fresh air.

Quickly moving to an area where fresh air is available is highly effective in reducing exposure to chlorine. If the chlorine release was outdoors, move away from the area where the chlorine was released. Go to the highest ground possible, because chlorine is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas. If the chlorine release was indoors, get out of the building. If you think you may have been exposed, remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.

Removing and disposing of clothing: Quickly take off clothing that has liquid chlorine on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head. If possible, seal the clothing in a plastic bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in a second plastic bag. Removing and sealing the clothing in this way will help protect you and other people from any chemicals that might be on your clothes.

Take children who show signs of chlorine poisoning to a hospital or emergency room immediately. Seek medical assistance immediately if you or your child comes into contact with chlorine. If you get chlorine on your skin, immediately wash it with soap and water. If you get it in your eyes, flush them with running water for at least 15 minutes — take out contact lenses first if present. Remove any clothes that were on the areas of the body exposed to chlorine. If you accidentally swallow chlorine, drink milk or water immediately, unless you experience vomiting or convulsions.

If you inhale chlorine, seek fresh air as soon as possible. Going to the highest possible ground to seek fresh air is helpful because chlorine is heavier than air. Medical professionals will want to know the following information to treat your chlorine poisoning more effectively:.

This includes your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, oxygenation, and breathing rate. Doctors may also give you one or more of the following to help ease symptoms and help your body deal with the chlorine:. You might require placement of a breathing tube into your airway for mechanical ventilation if you have trouble breathing. Doctors might use a special tool to view your throat and determine if you have serious burns in your airways or lungs.

A nasogastric tube may need to be inserted into your stomach to empty its contents. Medical staff may need to wash affected skin at hourly intervals. Chlorine poisoning can have serious effects on the body. The outlook for recovery depends on the amount of chlorine touched, swallowed, or inhaled and how quickly treatment is obtained.