One of the most common chemicals for water treatment is chlorine. I don't know about you, but when I think of chlorine I think of that distinct swimming pool smell, and burning eyes after trying to swim with my eyes open as a child. This is what goes into our drinking water?!
While chlorine as drinking water treatment is obviously less potent than that of swimming water treatment, it still can bring risks when ingested.
Chlorine is used to combat microbial contamination, But it can react with organic matter in the water and form dangerous, carcinogenic Trihalomethanes. According to Dr. Joseph M. Price, MD, in Moseby's Medical Dictionary, "Chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times. It is an insidious poison."
Lab animals exposed to very high levels of THM's have an increased risk of cancer. Several studies on humans have also found a link between long-term exposure to high levels of chlorination by-products and an increased risk of cancer. For example, a recent study showed an increased risk of bladder and possibly colon cancer in people who drank chlorinated water for 35 years or more.
High levels of THM's may also have an effect on pregnancy. A California study found that pregnant women who drank large amounts of tap water with high THM's had an increased risk of miscarriage.
While ingesting one or two glasses of water treated with chlorine most likely won't harm your body, the long term effects don't look very promising. Is it worth it? Especially considering there are other options out there? What are your thoughts on treating water with chlorine?
Sources: www.pure-earth.com/chlorine.html
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vsv/environ/chlor-eng.php
www.greenshock.ca
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