Sunday, December 14, 2008

Chlorinated Water

I got this glass of water from the water fountain at the super ferry's canteen. And I noticed that the water is chlorinated.

What are the effects of chlorine in our water? Base on my research in the internet, since the late 1800's chlorine has been added to drinking water by the water treatment facilities and has become the standard practice in water treatment.
We use chlorine not because it's the safest or even the most effective means of disinfectant, we use it because it is the cheapest. But there is a disadvantage of drinking or using chlorinated water. Its long-term effects have being recognized only recently. According to the U.S. Council of Environmental Quality, "Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those who use non chlorinated water".
The unpleasant taste of chlorinated water causes many people to turn to other less healthful beverages like soft drinks, tea or other drinks which decreases the intake of water and results in a lower degree of health.
For that reason, chlorine should be removed in our homes where ever possible, both from the water we drink and the water we shower in.

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