Chlorination and Chloromine,
Chemicals in your water
How do we get rid of germs in water?
The answer for many cities is chlorine or chloromine. After water is filtered for physical particles, the harmful germs can still remain. Diseases like E.coli, salmonella, hepatitis A are just some examples. Chlorine and Chloromine kill off most of this bacteria, but is it really as useful as it seems?
What are they? What do they do?
Chloromine is a chemical very similar to Chlorine. The former is a mixture of chlorine and ammonia. You will find them in tap water, but also many pools and hot tubs. Both of the chemicals are mixed in with our tap water, they have many positive and negative effects.
Pros:
+These chemicals are some of the most important breakthroughs in recent history, and have put an end to many waterborne diseases.
+Has put an end to many people struggling to afford clean water by enabling us to make drinkable water widely available.
+Also prepares water for our bathing, washing and swimming needs.
Fig. 1
E.coli organism, found in untreated water.
Fig. 2
Chlorinating water in third world countries.
Fig. 3
Pools and hot tubs often have chlorine or chloromine.
Cons:
-Chlorines are severely toxic to aquatic animals, and chlorinated water can kill fish and anphibians in an inhumane way. All owners of fish or aquatic animals cannot use untreated tap water with their pets.
-Chloromines have been known to cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation in high doses. Trichloramine and Dichloramine (toxic byproducts) have caused problems at many poorly ventilated swimming area.
-Can effect copper or lead pipes to cause poisoning or changes in water purity. Many people need to contact help to see if they are suceptible.
In the future...
These chemicals may still be causing effects that we have not yet noticed on the environment. There is a small margin for error in mixing them with our water, as they can be seriously devastating on those vulnerable.
The materials we use:
-Liquid or solid Chlorine or Chloramine.
-Water filtering systems, such as ones that create floc.
-The engineering and input from chemists.
What do you think?
Though it may seem that these chemicals have a lot of dangers, they are handled very cautiously. Do you think this is the best way to prevent disease from water? Do you think we will keep the fragile balance of chemicals in our water? Should we stay whit our current methods, or would you search for a better alternative?