Everyone is aware of how helpful and beneficial chlorine is, particularly for keeping swimming pools clean and safe to swim in. However, chlorine is actually used for several purposes as well. Its properties have helped improve the lifestyle of people across the world. Additionally, chlorine serves as a fundamental chemical building element for many items that are employed in modern technology, food, security, transportation, and public health and safety. Also, food, water and medicines, computers and cell phones, as well as other manufactured products such as contact lenses, air conditioning refrigerant and solar panels, all depend on chlorine chemistry too. All these prove how beneficial and versatile chlorine is, and can be used in a variety of ways.
Chlorine is generally made from one of the most prevalent and necessary minerals on earth — ordinary salt. Hydrogen, a byproduct of the chlorine production process, is used as an energy source in many manufacturing facilities, and sodium hydroxide, another byproduct, is a valuable and necessary product used to make a variety of consumer and industrial goods. These facts demonstrate the efficiency of the chlorine production process.
Furthermore, chlorine is commonly used in bleaching as well as to disinfect water for drinking and swimming. This particular chemical is utilized in a wide range of items that we use on a daily basis for our health, safety, nutrition, security, transportation, way of life, and high-tech innovation; yet it is not commonly acknowledged as an essential chemical building block. In fact, sales of chlorine and other chemical building blocks, which are used to create countless important items, help chlorine products of all sorts, as well as their derivatives, make significant economic contributions to the globe each year. Chlorine is therefore regarded by the official departmental industries as a key infrastructure and is a necessary asset.
Water
As everyone knows, the application of chlorine to water in general makes it sure that it is safe to be in contact with humans. With drinking water, for instance. Years ago, thousands of people suffered from waterborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and hepatitis A. All until they started routinely treating drinking water with chlorine-based disinfectants. And in achieving these safe and disinfected drinking water, they go through the process of chlorination.
Chlorination is the process of disinfecting drinking water by introducing chlorine to eradicate viruses, germs, and parasites. To achieve safe chlorine levels in drinking water, various techniques can be applied. Small levels of chlorine in water do not have negative health effects and offer a defense against the spread of waterborne diseases. Untreated water may taste and smell different from water that has been chlorinated. Chlorinated water has a distinct flavor and fragrance that some people enjoy and others do not. Depending on the water’s quality and chlorine content, problems with taste and odor may develop.
Chlorine helps minimize unpleasant tastes and odors in water, in addition to eliminating harmful microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Additionally, chlorine aids in the eradication of slime bacteria, molds, and algae that typically develop in storage tanks, on the walls of water mains, and in water supply reservoirs.
Furthermore, using chlorine in swimming pool water as well is deemed to be one of the popular applications of this chemical — keeping them safe to swim in. Disinfectants for swimming pools and spas that contain chlorine, such as dichlor and trichlor, keep recreational waters safe. It is done by eliminating pathogens that can cause illnesses like diarrhea, swimmer’s ear, or skin rashes like athlete’s foot.
Household Disinfectants
Household chlorine bleach, which may whiten and disinfect garments as well as disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces, is produced using chlorine chemistry. Norovirus, commonly known as the stomach bug, as well as seasonal flu, are just two examples of bacteria that can be killed by diluted bleach and water solutions that can be used in the home.
Depending on the dose, household bleach can be used as a disinfectant or sanitizer. They are effective against most germs, including bacterial spores. This disinfectant is practical, affordable, and easily accessible at grocery stores. Some metal, rubber, and plastic materials may be corrosive to it. Bleach solutions eventually lose their potency. It necessitates the preparation of fresh solutions every day and the replacement of stock solutions every few months.
Before wiping off the bleach solution, it should be left on for at least 2 minutes. Because it leaves no residue, it can be left to dry. Cleaning plates and dining utensils can be done with regular bleach. When compared to the amount used to disinfect other things, the procedure uses a far lower concentration of chlorine.
Food
Relative to the food industry, chlorine chemistry contributes to the production of safe and plentiful food. It can defend crops from pests, keep kitchen counters and other surfaces in touch with food clean, and eradicate E. coli. And in the process of eliminating microorganisms and disinfecting the area where food is processed, chlorine compounds are frequently employed in the food business. Examples include treating the cooling water from pasteurizers, cleaning produce, and sanitizing surfaces that come into touch with food.
The ability of chlorine compounds to sanitize can be impacted by a number of circumstances. Organic material, pH, temperature, concentration, and contact time are among them. Furthermore, commercial household bleaches and other aqueous chlorine solutions are unstable. As a result, chlorine’s concentration and effectiveness may diminish quickly. With this, chlorine granules should be utilized to sterilize food processing facilities, rather than bottled bleach. Water can be used to dilute common hypochlorite liquid solutions used in the food business. Up until they reach the necessary concentration.
Healthcare
Making medicines that we rely on, such as those that reduce cholesterol, manage arthritis pain, and ease allergy symptoms, requires a thorough understanding of chlorine chemistry as well. Blood bags, medical equipment, and surgical stitches all contain byproducts of chlorine chemistry. Additionally, respiratory inhalers, safety glasses, and contact lenses are made using the particular chemical.
Building and Construction
Utilizing a chlorine-based manufacturing process, plastic foam insulation can improve the energy effectiveness of household heating and cooling systems, save energy costs, and aid in resource conservation. Vinyl windows that are energy-efficient can lower heating and cooling expenses as well as GHG emissions. According to research, producing vinyl windows uses about one-third as much energy as producing aluminum windows. Additionally, chlorine chemistry is employed in the production of long-lasting paint. It enhances the beauty of every space in your house.
Key Takeaway
With all the uses, applications, and benefits that have been listed above proves how versatile and beneficial chlorine is; in terms of disinfecting water and other types of products, as well as for the production of necessary equipment in general. They contain unique properties that were used to help improve the lifestyle of people all over the world. For this reason, it is important to understand where it is used and when it should be used. Especially in swimming pools, and for the water that is usually consumed by people.
