Why Chlorine in Water is Harmful and Can Cause Cancer
AND WHY IT’S HIGH TIME TO SAVE YOUR HEALTH AND WEALTH FROM SERIOUS
DISEASES CAUSED BY CHLORINE
What if we told you that this blog will shake your beliefs on the water you use?
Sounds surprising, right?
So, let’s take a little drive back in time — to when we were attending science classes at school. Such a good time it was.
And those were the moments when our general science lessons should have made us learn how we are all using water that’s unhealthy for many reasons.
Part of this problem is a chemical that’s invisible to our eyes.
But here’s a shocker — without using this chemical, your water cannot be free of bacteria and waterborne diseases.
And here comes the obvious question. Which chemical is used to treat water?
It’s none other than “Chlorine.”
We were taught that chlorine is used to clean swimming pools or disinfect water. That’s it.
After the Covid-19 outbreak, we’ve learned that health and hygiene should be our topmost priority.
Today, Purifit reveals the unknown truths of chlorine inside your water that harm your health in the long run.
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine is a chemical used as a disinfectant for drinking water and swimming pools. It’s added to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms present in water.
This process is called “Chlorination.” Chlorination helps prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and has become a popular disinfection method worldwide.
But, is it harmful to us?
According to safewater.org:
In drinking water, the concentration of chlorine is usually very low and is thus not a concern in acute exposure. More of a concern is the long-term risk of cancer due to chronic exposure to chlorinated water.
Purifit assures you that you’re at the right place to learn how to filter out chlorine from the water you use daily.
Who is Responsible for Chlorination?
In India, municipal bodies are responsible for disinfecting the water supplied to homes. The most common disinfectant they use is chlorine.
No one shares water quality reports with Indian citizens, as there’s no framework to do so. The only progress is a draft policy recommending water testing labs at district, state, and national levels.
Forms of Chlorine Used for Water Treatment
- Chlorine Gas (Cl₂): Least expensive gaseous form.
- Calcium Hypochlorite [Ca(ClO)₂]: Powdered form used for both drinking and wastewater purification.
- Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO): Liquid form with a strong chlorine odor.
How Chlorine Harms Your Health
Exposure to chlorine occurs through drinking, inhalation, and skin absorption. Long exposure produces free radicals in the body — known causes of cancer and lung damage.
“Risk of developing cancer is 93% higher among people exposed to chlorinated water than those who are not.” — U.S. Council of Environmental Quality
Chlorine reacts with organic matter in water to form Trihalomethanes (THMs) — disinfection by-products linked to cancer and reproductive issues.
Symptoms of Chlorine Exposure
- Breathing Difficulty: Chlorine inhalation may cause asthma and bronchitis.
- Eye Irritation: Redness and blurriness caused by dehydration of tear film.
- Skin Irritation: Chlorine absorbed during hot showers causes dryness and itching.
- Cough & Sore Throat: Chlorine fumes irritate sensitive airways.
- Chest Tightness: Chlorine irritates the respiratory system, causing congestion similar to asthma symptoms.
Chronic exposure increases the risk of carcinogenic elements in the long term.
How to Remove Chlorine from Water
Some methods like boiling or costly treatment systems can reduce chlorine, but the most practical and affordable solution is using a Shower Filter with Activated Carbon.
A good shower filter removes up to 95% of chlorine, chloramines, bad odor, and THMs. It uses KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) technology with copper-zinc alloy to convert chlorine to chloride.
Is a Shower Filter Enough?
It’s perfect for bathing, showering, and swimming. But since water is also used for drinking and washing, Purifit offers:
Explore and book yours at www.purifit.in or Amazon India — with free shipping across India.
Enjoy Healthy Water.
Enjoy Healthy Life.
We hope this blog helped you understand the harmful impacts of chlorine and ways to get clean, healthy water.
Share this with your friends and family — and feel free to reach us at care@purifit.in.
About the Author
AKSHAY BAJAJ
Content Contributor for Purifit
Akshay believes in spreading cheer through storytelling. He writes on healthcare, design, and technology. A Postgraduate in Business Entrepreneurship from EDII-Gandhinagar, Akshay works with startups and brands to create engaging content.
Mantra: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Connect with him on LinkedIn or email at akshay.bajaj.ab@gmail.com.