Problem
Chlorine as a pollutant
Background:
Chlorine is the 18th most abundant of the earth's 92 natural elements. It was first harnessed industrially more than 100 years ago and became a cornerstone of the chemical industry's post-World War II expansion. 60% of western European chemical industry sales are attributed to products that either contain chlorine or were produced with its help. Industrial manufacture of chlorine is achieved by electrolysis -- passing an electric current through brine, saturated salt water. This breaks the brine up into its component parts hydrogen, chlorine and caustic soda. More than 9 million tonnes of chlorine and a similar quantity of caustic soda are produced annually in western Europe. Almost 2 million jobs in Europe are related to chlor-alkali production.
Incidence:
Common tap water is often high in chlorine, which has been found to destroy friendly intestinal bacteria.
Broader Problems:
Lung-damaging agentsChemical contamination of waterEnvironmental hazards of chlorine-bleached paper products Related Problems:
PVC as an environmental hazard Aggravates:
Candidosis Values:
Pollution References:
Condie, L W: Water Chlorination: chemistry, environment impact and health effectsWorld Health Organization: Chlorine and Hydrogen ChlorideFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Water Quality Criteria for European Freshwater Fish: report on chlorine and freshwater fish Subject(s):
Fundamental Sciences → Non-metallic chemical elementsSocietal Problems → Pollution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
08.05.2019 – 20:48 CEST