Why is tap water chlorinated? Chlorination in tap water is mainly used to disinfect and kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the water. Chlorine is a disinfectant widely used in water treatment, which can effectively reduce the number of pathogens in water and ensure the safety of drinking water.
1. Why should tap water be chlorinated?
Chlorination is effective in killing many pathogens, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This prevents waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, hepatitis, etc. Chlorine also controls the growth of algae and fungi in the water, reducing the production of odors and odors.
However, long-term consumption of chlorinated water may have some health effects. On the one hand, chlorine reacts with organic matter in water to form by-products such as chloroform and chloride. These compounds may be toxic and have been implicated in the development of certain cancers. On the other hand, chlorine may also react with some compounds in water to form other toxic substances such as chloric acid and chlorate.
Second, several common disinfectants
1.Chloramine: Diamine chloride is a compound of chlorine and ammonia and is commonly used in water treatment. Unlike chlorine, diamonia chloride releases active chlorine in water at a slower rate and can provide a longer disinfection effect. Diamonia chloride is more effective than chlorine at killing certain bacteria and viruses, but it can be toxic to fish and certain aquatic organisms.
2.Ozone: Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that can be used for disinfection and oxidation reactions in water treatment. It quickly kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms without leaving any residue during the disinfection process. However, the preparation and use of ozone is relatively complex and requires specialized equipment.
3.Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Ultraviolet radiation is a non-chemical disinfection method that kills bacteria and viruses by using specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light. UV disinfection has no chemical residues, but its germicidal effectiveness may be affected by water quality and light penetration.
4.Hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide): Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent with a certain disinfection ability. It kills bacteria and viruses and breaks down into water and oxygen, leaving no residue. However, hydrogen peroxide needs to be used at the appropriate concentration and treatment time to ensure effective disinfection.
Despite this, chlorine concentrations in water are generally kept within safe limits to avoid significant harm to human health. Many countries and regions have regulations and standards to monitor and control chlorine levels in drinking water to ensure safe water quality. In addition, the use of activated carbon filters or other water treatment equipment can also remove chloride from the water.
Overall, moderate consumption of chlorine-treated tap water is safe for most people's health. However, if you have concerns about chlorine in your tap water, you can choose other water sources, such as bottled water or using a home filter, to purify the water.