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HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER (excerpt)
The
most immediate effect that chlorine has upon human health is to protect us from
the wide variety of waterborne diseases that continue to plague developing countries
which do not have sources of clean drinking water. Acute gastrointestinal
distress can result from ingesting the bacteria Shigella and Salmonella. While these organisms are still responsible for multiple cases of food poisoning, chlorination prevents these organisms from infecting people through drinking water. Waterborne cases of typhoid fever, dysentery, and hepatitis are
unheard of in the United States due to chlorination of public water. Other diseases such as tuberculosis, anthrax, and polio have also been linked to unchlorinated drinking water(1). Chlorine provides an inexpensive and highly effective way to disinfect drinking water. Although there are other methods to purify water, such as boiling, distillation, and ultrafiltration, these methods are much more expensive because
of the equipment and energy required.
HEALTH EFFECTS OF INGESTING HIGH
LEVELS OF CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER:
As
indicated in the introduction, chlorine levels within the drinking water system
are carefully monitored and kept well below the recommended maximum
of 4ppm. Most information regarding drinking high levels of chlorine has
resulted from cases of children accidentally drinking household bleach, which
has a chlorine level hundreds or even a thousand times more concentrated than
drinking water. Drinking chlorine bleach causes temporary vomiting and
stomach pain but is rarely fatal. The odor of chlorine may cause headaches
in some people, but this is an individual sensitivity and no specific level is
known to cause a problem(4). In a scientific study rats were
given water with chlorine levels ranging from 0-500ppm prior to breeding and
through weaning of the rat pups. Males showed minor changes in sperm morphology at levels above 10ppm. However, no effects upon the body weight and conception rate of parents; or birth weight, perinatal survival, and development of pups
was found. There were also no changes in methemoglobin levels, reproductive
tracts, organ weights, and organ-to-body weight ratios of the parents or their
pups(5). Various studies have indicated that chlorine can either
increase or decrease incidence of skin cancer depending upon the other chemicals
present. No elevation in bladder cancer risk was found among people who
have lived in places with chlorinated water versus non-chlorinated. While one study
indicated a higher incidence of colon cancer among people more than 60 years
old who drank chlorinated water. However, there was no relationship between
chlorination and colon cancer among people <60 years old, nor was there a
difference between people who had used chlorinated drinking water for greater
than 15 years and those who had used it for less than 15 years(6).
CONCLUSION:
While
human studies regarding the possible long-term effects of ingesting chlorinated
drinking water remain inconclusive, the effects of drinking non-chlorinated water
are well known. Various national and international health organizations
have determined that unless a definite detrimental effect from ingesting chlorinated
water is established, the risk of eventually discovering a long-term negative
effect from chlorinated water is preferable to the proven dangers of contracting
a fatal or debilitating disease from
drinking unchlorinated water.
REFERENCES:
(1) Water
Chlorination: Principles and Practices. American Water Works Association. Manual
M20. 1973.
(2) Safe
Drinking Water Hotline. Conversation on June 29, 1995. 800-426-4791.
(3) Bureau
of Utilities, Howard County. 8250 Old Montgomery Road, Columbia, MD 21045.
(4) Poison
Control Center. Conversation on June 29, 1995. 410-528-7701.
(5) "Reproductive
Effects of Alternate Disinfectants and Their By-Products." Carlton,
Betsy D. and M. Kate Smith. Water Chlorination: Vol. 5. 1986.
(6) "Chronic
Effects of Chlorine." Revis, N.W., et al. Water Clorination: Vol 5.
1986.
Approved
for public release; distribution unlimited
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Assignment: Research and Generate Public Information Document
Audience: Adults with Limited Science/Technical Background |
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1999 Landed Gently Awards
We gathered tonight to honor our hounds,
Brag about horses, and down a few rounds.
To relive fine hunts in the comp'ny of friends
And bid fond farewells when the final toast ends.
Now Members and Guests it's time to bestow
The greatest of honors a hunter can know,
The one thing about which each hunter prays...
The award for Most Numerous Parting of Ways
While many competed (you know who you are)
We consider two members outstanding by far...
So this year we've chosen two for the prize.
One of the Girls and one of the guys.
First there is Liz, who goes out of her way
To ensure that we all enjoy a safe day.
At Bedervale Liz was achingly nice,
Inspecting the footing not once, twice, but thrice
She's obviously happy with her partner Jack,
Laughing and smiling to meets and back.
Liz enjoys jumping panels, some say to excess,
If her mount isn't keen, she'll jump it Jack-less.
Next Ham: by example teaches Club horses to hunt,
At forbidding panels, he's often in front.
Luckily Ham doesn't think himself grand,
It's hard to save face...when you use it to land.
Our Nation will cheer the name of this gent
When Freestyle Dismount's an Olympic event.
For his gymnastic displays, I'm sure you'll concede,
His claim to this trophy is well-earned, indeed.
So all join together and raise your glass high!
For two hunters who soar so high that they fly.
If there's no more champagne, the Tumbler's Fund bare,
Blame only yourselves, Liz and Ham did their share!
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Assignment: Commemorative poem for annual awards banquet.
Audience: Members of the Southern Tablelands Fox Hunt, Canberra, Australia |
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