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For many, tap water comes with its own distinct taste. This is usually due to one of two things: the contaminants that it contains, or the chlorine in the water. While chlorine is added into tap water as a disinfectant, it has the potential to produce a taste and smell that may alert you of its presence.
Chlorine is a chemical that, in its natural form, is a highly toxic gas (1). It is used both in industries and as a household cleaning supply due to its disinfecting properties. Additionally, chlorine is used in pools and to disinfect drinking water supplies.
Chlorine poisoning, which can occur immediately or slowly over time, is highly dangerous. It occurs most commonly through inhalation or consumption of cleaning supplies, or due to exposure in factories or industrial plants. If exposed to high concentrations of chlorine, you may experience blurred vision, burning sensations, coughing, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and wheezing (2). Remove yourself from the source immediately, and seek medical help or contact Poison Control.
Chronic exposure to low doses of chlorine, usually from the workplace, can also cause chlorine poisoning. Symptoms include teeth corrosion, flu-like symptoms, and a high risk of developing RADS, a type of asthma induced by chemicals.
Despite being highly toxic, chlorine is a quick and effective disinfectant. Not only is chlorine added todisinfect water supplies, but it is also used to prevent “algal, bacteria and general slime growths in treatment plants and pipeworks, control of tastes and odors, and removal of iron [and] manganese” (3).
This process is utilized to disinfect surface water sources, like lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as groundwater sources in some states (4). In all cases, the Environmental Protection Agency limits the amount of chlorine that is allowed to enter the water to ensure the water is safe for human consumption. Just enough chlorine is added to the water to kill germs and contaminants without endangering consumers.
That being said, adding a dangerous chemical to water is not without risks. Studies have found that “when chlorine is added to sterilize drinking water, it reacts naturally with organic matter found in water such as decaying tree residues and animal material, producing substances known as… Trihalomethanes” (5). Trihalomethanes are compounds that the EPA has linked to liver, kidney, and colon cancer.
While the chlorine itself may not pose health risks in your water, the trihalomethanes that it can form are something to take heed of.
Whether it is the taste that comes with drinking chlorinated tap water or the fear of trihalomethanes in your water, it is important to take necessary precautions to reduce their presence in your water. First, boiling water will remove chlorine and significantly reduce trihalomethanes from your water. Ensure the water is boiling for at least three minutes before letting it cool for consumption (6). However, boiling water is not a time-effective method to dechlorinate your water. It takes more time and energy than most people are willing to sacrifice.
A more time-sensitive dechlorinating method is water filtration. By filtering your water with a lab-tested filter to remove chlorine, you can effectively remove these harmful contaminants, as well as removing the taste/smell that often accompanies chlorinated water. All Seychelle water filters are independently lab-tested to remove both chlorine and trihalomethanes from your water, eliminating any risk that may come from drinking chlorinated water.
While chlorine is used to effectively disinfect most public water sources, the process has its downfalls. First, some people notice their tap water still has a distinct smell or taste associated with chlorine. While this does not pose a health risk in itself, it can make tap water unpleasant to drink. More importantly, the chlorination process introduces trihalomethanes to the water, and these harmful compounds can pose a health risk. To protect yourself and your loved ones from both the aesthetic and chemical contaminants associated with chlorinated water, be sure to filter your water through a Seychelle water filter.
Is chlorine in drinking water bad for you?
Chlorine is only added to drinking water in amounts that are safe for human consumption. That being said, chlorinating drinking water risks forming trihalomethanes to the water, which can be harmful if consumed.
What happens if chlorine levels are too high in drinking water?
If chlorine levels are too high, overtime the consumer may experience the effects of chlorine poisoning.
How to remove chlorine from tap water?
Chlorine can be removed from tap water by boiling the water or by using a water filter.
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