The Effects of Residual Chlorine in Tap Water on the Human Body
In daily life, tap water is our primary source of water, and the issue of residual chlorine has drawn significant attention.
The Harm of Residual Chlorine in Tap Water to the Human Body
During water purification, chlorine or chlorine compounds are added as disinfectants to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. While this practice effectively ensures water quality and prevents waterborne diseases, it also results in residual chlorine.
Residual chlorine consists of free residual chlorine (such as free chlorine gas, hypochlorous acid, and hypochlorite, which have not reacted with substances in the water) and total residual chlorine (the sum of all forms of chlorine in the water). While it continues to serve as a disinfectant during water distribution, preventing recontamination, it also poses several potential health risks to humans.
Pathways of Residual Chlorine Entering the Human Body
Drinking Water
Directly consuming tap water containing residual chlorine is one of the most common ways for it to enter the human body. During disinfection, chlorine that has not fully reacted remains in drinking water. Long-term consumption of such water may have adverse effects on health.
Bathing
During showers or baths, residual chlorine can enter the body in two ways:
Absorption through the skin – Hot water opens up the pores, allowing residual chlorine to be directly absorbed, which may affect skin health.
Inhalation of chlorine gas – Chlorine in hot water easily evaporates, forming chlorine gas. When inhaled, this chlorinated steam can irritate the respiratory system, potentially causing coughing, throat irritation, and discomfort. Prolonged exposure may pose greater risks to individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Cooking
Using chlorinated water for washing and cooking food is another way residual chlorine enters the body. Although high temperatures during cooking can break down some chlorine, a portion may still remain in the food and be ingested. For example, when washing raw fruits and vegetables with chlorinated water, residual chlorine can adhere to their surfaces and eventually enter the body.
Potential Risks of Excessive Residual Chlorine
The harm caused by excessive residual chlorine to the human body is often chronic and not easily noticeable. Studies have suggested that long-term consumption of water with excessive residual chlorine may be associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies chlorine as a Group 3 carcinogen—meaning there is insufficient evidence to confirm its carcinogenicity in humans—the byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), have been proven to be carcinogenic.
Therefore, the potential dangers posed by residual chlorine and its disinfection byproducts represent a long-term and hidden health risk that should not be overlooked.
Function and Working Principle of ETERNAL WORLD Calcium Sulfite Dechlorination Filter Media
High-Efficiency Dechlorination
ETERNAL WORLD's calcium sulfite dechlorination filter media offers exceptional chlorine removal performance, with a removal rate of up to 99.9%. It achieves this by locking calcium sulfite mineral elements within a nano-ceramic lattice, precisely controlling the release concentration of calcium sulfite. This design ensures a long-lasting, stable, and uniform release during use, enabling highly efficient chlorine removal from water.
Safe and Eco-Friendly
The filter media has been certified by the international NSF quality and safety standards and SGS food safety standards, meeting food-grade safety requirements. This guarantees safe usage without introducing new safety concerns, while also highlighting its environmentally friendly properties, making it a reliable choice for users.
Long-Lasting and Durable
With high hardness, the calcium sulfite dechlorination filter media is resistant to breakage and does not produce dust, effectively preventing secondary pollution during filtration. Additionally, its slow-release technology allows it to maintain a consistent and stable dechlorination effect over an extended period, ensuring long-term chlorine removal performance.
Application Scenarios
Household Water Purifiers
Widely used in home water purification systems, it effectively removes residual chlorine from tap water, providing safe and healthy drinking water for households and meeting daily hydration needs.
Faucet Water Purifiers
Designed for direct installation on faucets, these purifiers are quick and easy to install, efficiently removing chlorine from water. This ensures that people are protected from the harmful effects of residual chlorine while washing, rinsing, or using water for daily activities.
Children’s Bathing Kits
Since children’s delicate skin is more susceptible to chlorine irritation, integrating this filter media into children’s bathing kits helps protect their skin health, ensuring they can bathe safely without exposure to harmful residual chlorine.
Commercial Water Purifiers
For commercial establishments with high water consumption, incorporating this technology into commercial water purifiers ensures safe water usage. Whether in restaurants, offices, or other public spaces, it guarantees that the water meets health standards.
Pet Water Dispensers
Pet health is just as important as human health. Using this dechlorination filter media in pet water dispensers ensures that pets have access to clean, chlorine-free drinking water, promoting their well-being.
While residual chlorine in tap water does pose certain health risks, the effective application of ETERNAL WORLD calcium sulfite dechlorination filter media ensures safe and healthy water across various scenarios. By meeting different water usage needs, it allows people to use tap water with greater peace of mind.
