Chlorine is added to drinking water to destroy bacteria. Although chlorine can avoid infectious diseases, there have been concerns over chlorine increasing the chances of cancer. Studies show that it is not the chlorine itself, by the by-products of chlorination that pose cancer risks. A meta-analysis conducted at Harvard reported that people who drank chlorinated water for a long time had 21% increase in the risk of bladder cancer and 38% increase in the risk of getting rectal cancer. Some studies have also shown that the by-products of chlorination can lower the sperm count in men. It can also have an adverse effect on the testosterone level.
Chlorine is known to worsen conditions such as asthma. Not just drinking chlorinated water, even swimming in chlorinated water can cause allergies, asthma and migraines. Inhalation of chlorine can cause bronchitis in children. It can also decrease the absorption of calcium. Chlorinated water can cause kidney problems which can be painful. Although chlorine is supposed to kill the bad bacteria in the water, upon ingestion, it can kill the good bacteria in your body.Chlorine can also damage enzymes and thus weaken the immune system.The gut problems caused by this destruction of good bacteria and enzymes can lead to other health conditions such as obesity. Often temperamental issues in children are connected with poor gut health.
Chlorine absorbed by the body can cause hairloss, low blood sugar and difficulty in sleeping. Taking chlorinated water regularly can potentially cause chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a condition that causes extreme fatigue which cannot be cured just by taking rest. Chlorine can cause hypothyroidism by displacing the iodine in the thyroid gland.
Without enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism of your body will go down. This will make you feel less energetic. Chlorine can also destroy vitamin A and E which are good antioxidants. This can often contribute to weight gain. These antioxidants are also good for preventing certain kinds of cancers, skin problems, respiratory issues and infertility.
Chlorine when combined with the organic compounds in the water can damage liver and even nervous system. People with liver diseases are very vulnerable to the toxic nature of chlorine. It is the job of the liver to avoid the presence of toxic substances in the blood. If you have a liver illness, larger quantities of toxic substances can cause inflammation of the liver. The toxins called trihalomethanes created when chlorine reacts with natural elements in water can cause problems such as heart diseases. When using tap water that is chlorinated, chlorine gets absorbed through skin and through inhalation. This can increase the concentration of trihalomethanes in the blood. It is proven to cause cancer and reproductive problems such as miscarriage and low birth weight. When it comes in contact with skin, it can also cause allergic reactions and even eczema.
It is best to avoid ingesting chlorinated water whenever possible. Getting a water purifier installed in your house is a good way to make sure that the water you use for your daily needs is chlorine free. Filtering water is also a healthy option. Purifying drinking water will not only keep you safe from the harmful effects of chlorine, it will also provide you water that does not have the chemical smell or unpleasant taste. You are likely to have more water when it tastes and smells good, and it is important to have plenty of water to maintain a healthy body and mind.
Aquaneeta is the leading manufacturer of domestic reverse-osmosis(RO)+UV drinking water filtration systems in India. We are based out of the City of Cochin, Ernakulam where we custom design and build our famous Reverse Osmosis Systems.
