What is Chlorine and is it safe?

Chlorine is a natural, chemical element on the periodic table that’s found in rocks and oceans. It is commonly used to disinfect water from swimming pools to drinking water. When Chlorine isn’t used to disinfect water, monochloramine typically takes its place.

Health Concerns Associated with Chlorine

Under EPA guidelines, 4 mg/L, chlorine is safe to have in your drinking water. It helps prevent waterborne illnesses and doesn’t negatively impact your health.

But, research has found that chlorine can cause harm. In one study, researchers found that when chlorine combines with naturally occurring chemicals in the water, also known as phenols, it creates byproducts. Some of these byproducts can go through filtration systems unnoticed and can be toxic. Trihalomethanes (THMs) are one of the byproducts that can form and are linked to bladder cancer - Berkey removes greater than 99.8% of THMs. Chlorine in drinking water has also been linked to rectal and breast cancers.

Like monochloramine, there are other similar concerns with chlorine in drinking water. Chlorine can be harmful to those undergoing hemodialysis and cause hemolytic anemia. Chlorine in water can also be harmful to fish, causing a shock to their body and resulting in death.

Chlorine in Swimming Pool Water

Many swimming pools are also treated using chlorine. Unlike drinking water treated with chlorine, swimming pool water takes time to treat and even then, many germs can still spread throughout the water. Sweat, body oil and even urine and feces can also make their way into pools and cause you to get sick.

This is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not recommend drinking swimming pool water, although it can be used for personal hygiene or laundry. While Berkey Filters reduces over 99.9% of chlorine from drinking water, some contaminants may linger in the water that haven't been tested by Berkey Filters. Although Berkey systems are capable of filtering chlorine from swimming pool water, doing so will result in more wear and tear on your Black Berkey Filters, reducing their lifespan.

How to Remove Chlorine From Drinking Water

You have two options for removing chlorine from your drinking water. The first is reverse osmosis, which takes water and exerts it through a semi-permeable membrane, resulting in clean water. This method works fine unless you want to keep essential minerals in your water. Reverse osmosis removes the bad, but also the good, so if you don’t have a well-balanced diet, you could experience mineral deficiency as a result.

Berkey Filters uses the second method, granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, where the filter elements are either made of coconut shells, which are what Black Berkey filters are made of, or charcoal. These filters have tiny pores that use their adsorption and absorption properties to filter out organic contaminants. They are also good at addressing contaminants that have odd odors or taste, including chlorine, but keeping in essential minerals like iron.

The micropores in GAC filters, are only one part of the filtration process that Berkey Filters use to clean drinking water. The Black Berkey Filters also utilize  ion exchange process and the natural force of gravity flow, to leave you with clean, nutritious water.

Whether you’re filtering your drinking water or shower water, you can trust Berkey Filters to remove the unwanted chlorine. Find the right Berkey Water Filter system that fits you and your family today.