Chlorine is a chemical element with high disinfecting power. Because of its disinfecting properties, chlorine is used to treat water that reaches our homes. Chlorine-based compounds are also used in bleaches and in the production of medicines and resins, for example. Chlorine is also used as a whitening agent in paper production and is also present in the production of pesticides and plastics, among other products.
Fun fact: Did you know that chlorine was used as a chemical weapon during World War I? Because it's a compound with suffocating properties, the first chemical weapons contained chlorine.
Chlorine can be toxic
Although widely used in everyday products and to treat drinking water, chlorine is a chemical element, and frequent or high-dose exposure to this compound can cause a range of health problems. Skin and eye irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea are some symptoms of chlorine contamination.
In water considered potable, the concentration of this element is usually low, so the harm it can cause is not as widespread. However, chlorinated water is associated with an increased risk of cancer, primarily affecting the colon, rectum, and bladder.
Given the risks that excessive use or consumption of chlorine can pose to our bodies, it is important to adopt measures to minimize its impacts, as we will see below.
Replacing and Eliminating Chlorine in Daily Use
You can reduce your bleach use by substituting other products when cleaning without putting your health at risk. Here are some tips:
Tip 1: Isopropyl alcohol is quite effective for cleaning glass, plastic, metal, and other surfaces, and can be used as a substitute for bleach.
Tip 2: Hydrogen peroxide, also known as hydrogen peroxide, is safe to use for cleaning surfaces and even sanitizing some food products.
Tip 3: Warm water and mild soap are a versatile combination that can be used to clean various areas without posing health risks.
Although the water that reaches our homes is treated, it's important to remember that this water isn't always safe for drinking. This is because, in addition to the chemicals used during this treatment process, this water also passes through various pipes and tubes whose conditions are unknown to us.
Therefore, we will now share some more tips to avoid chlorine consumption:
Tip 4: Chlorine is injected into the water in the form of liquefied gas, which means it can evaporate over time. Therefore, tap water, left standing for about three days, can eliminate virtually all chlorine from the water.
Tip 5: Boiling water before drinking it is another alternative to remove chlorine from water. This is possible because the high temperature causes the chlorine to evaporate more quickly.
Tip 6: Using dechlorinators, known as chlorine removers, can treat and eliminate chlorine from water.
The disadvantage of these last three tips is that even letting the water sit, boiling it, or using a dechlorinator doesn't completely remove contaminants. This is because heavy metals such as lead and copper, for example, are more difficult to remove. Hence the recommendation for the use of water filters or purifiers.
Tip 7: Filters, as the name suggests, filter water, removing impurity particles. However, they do this in a more basic way. Purifiers, on the other hand, aim to make water even purer for consumption through deep filtration. Therefore, the use of a water purifier is highly recommended by experts.
How to choose the ideal purifier:
When choosing a water purifier, you need to pay attention to a few factors, such as whether the model is suitable for your environment, whether at home or at work. Some models can be installed directly on faucets, others are used with countertop filters, or there's even the option of installing a purifier in water fountains.
Another essential piece of information is whether the product in question has been approved by the appropriate agencies. This certification began to be required in 2011 to ensure that these purifiers are efficient at eliminating chlorine, for example. Therefore, choose products that carry the INMETRO seal of maximum efficiency.
Not sure which purifier to buy? We have several options for every need, all highly certified by INMETRO!
In addition to eliminating chlorine from water, Acqualive purifiers provide you with perfect water: pure, alkaline, rich in magnesium and antioxidants, highly hydrating, and with alkalizing properties. It's the purest water you'll find!
Acqualive purifiers offer water free of contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorine, and other harmful compounds. Furthermore, our water is rich in magnesium, a mineral essential for healthy skin. Also rich in antioxidants, this water fights free radicals, helping prevent premature aging. Furthermore, with a pH above 8, ionized alkaline water with a negative PRAL is ideal for helping maintain healthy skin. Water from Acqualive purifiers is even more hydrating because its surface tension is lower, allowing it to reach places where regular water doesn't.
We also offer shower and showerhead filters. They leave your bath water truly clean, eliminating chlorine, which can cause skin irritation and dry hair.
At Acqualive, we use a unique and exclusive technique to transform regular water into super water. To achieve this, we invest heavily in international technologies and scientific research, and we have become pioneers when it comes to quality water.