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Water Q & A
Is chlorine harmful?
Chlorine was first added to a community water system in 1908 in Chicago and was instrumental in eliminating many types of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever. Prior to chlorination, many major cities experienced death tolls of 1 in 1000 people from typhoid alone. Chlorine has been used to disinfect municipal water for over 80 years and has had some positive effects on public health. In the 1970s, it was discovered that chlorine, when added to water, forms Trihalomethanes (chlorinated byproducts) by combining with certain naturally occurring organic matter, such as vegetation and algae. In 1992, the American Journal of Public Health published a report that showed a 15% to 35% increase in certain types of cancer in people who consume chlorinated water. This report also stated that many of these effects were due to showering in chlorinated water. The National Cancer Institute estimates cancer risks for people who consume chlorinated water to be 93% higher than for people who do not. The effects of drinking chlorinated water have been debated for decades. However, most experts now agree that there are some significant risks related to consuming chlorine and chlorination byproducts.
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