Chlorine in drinking water and its health effects

Since this topic is already up. 😁

Chlorine in our water supply is definitely something we should be concerned about. Chlorine itself isn't necessarily the villain here; the real issue lies in the byproducts it creates. Because it’s so reactive, any organic matter it hits triggers a chemical reaction that produces new compounds—most of which are incredibly nasty, like carbon tetrachloride or chloroform. We aren't talking about massive doses, but it's a constant, cumulative exposure through every shower, every time we brush our teeth, wash our hands, or take a sip of water...

Specifically, those two chemicals are quite common in chlorine-based cleaners. When you take hypochlorite as the active ingredient and mix it with detergents, soaps, or fragrances, the chlorine reacts with them to create these secondary compounds. For instance, carbon tetrachloride was actually banned back in the '70s because it's such a potent toxin and carcinogen; it used to be used in old refrigerators and it wreaks havoc on the ozone layer. You won't see these listed on product labels because they aren't intentionally added—they develop spontaneously during use—though they really ought to be disclosed. I realized a long time ago that Clorox feels much more suffocating than plain bleach, even though its chlorine percentage is actually lower.

These substances enter our systems incredibly easily, whether it's through skin absorption or simply breathing them in...

The only real solution is to install water filtration systems on your faucets and showerheads, and to stop using bleach and definitely stop using Clorox. 😁 Honestly, dealing with bacteria is better than dealing with poison. 😁

Our immune system actually utilizes hypochlorite to kill off bacteria, specifically within our innate immune cells. It exists in our stomachs as hydrochloric acid, which is the primary acid in digestive juices, and even sperm has a chlorine-like scent because it contains chloride 😁 (though let's be clear, that isn't the same thing as pure chlorine).

Brenda Sanders56 said:Since this topic is already up. 😁

Chlorine in our water supply is definitely something we should be concerned about. Chlorine itself isn't necessarily the villain here; the real issue lies in the byproducts it creates. Because it’s so reactive, any organic matter it hits triggers a chemical reaction that produces new compounds—most of which are incredibly nasty, like carbon tetrachloride or chloroform. We aren't talking about massive doses, but it's a constant, cumulative exposure through every shower, every time we brush our teeth, wash our hands, or take a sip of water...

Specifically, those two chemicals are quite common in chlorine-based cleaners. When you take hypochlorite as the active ingredient and mix it with detergents, soaps, or fragrances, the chlorine reacts with them to create these secondary compounds. For instance, carbon tetrachloride was actually banned back in the '70s because it's such a potent toxin and carcinogen; it used to be used in old refrigerators and it wreaks havoc on the ozone layer. You won't see these listed on product labels because they aren't intentionally added—they develop spontaneously during use—though they really ought to be disclosed. I realized a long time ago that Clorox feels much more suffocating than plain bleach, even though its chlorine percentage is actually lower.

These substances enter our systems incredibly easily, whether it's through skin absorption or simply breathing them in...

The only real solution is to install water filtration systems on your faucets and showerheads, and to stop using bleach and definitely stop using Clorox. 😁 Honestly, dealing with bacteria is better than dealing with poison. 😁

Our immune system actually utilizes hypochlorite to kill off bacteria, specifically within our innate immune cells. It exists in our stomachs as hydrochloric acid, which is the primary acid in digestive juices, and even sperm has a chlorine-like scent because it contains chloride 😁 (though let's be clear, that isn't the same thing as pure chlorine).

hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid are not the same thing

sperm smells like linden flowers

So, does that mean it’s actually better to just let the tap water sit in a pitcher for a few hours so the chlorine can evaporate?

Larry Walker24 said:hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid are not the same thing

sperm smells like linden flowers

Yeah, I know they aren't. Honestly, I'm not even sure what I was thinking there. I probably meant chlorine.

The way colur absorbs into the skin is honestly wild—it happens incredibly fast:

I’ll admit, I’d probably find that clip a lot more convincing if it wasn't coming from a company that makes its living selling water purification and dechlorination systems.

I honestly don't buy the "rigged" argument; anyone can run these kinds of tests if they have half a brain:






The real question is, where can I pick up that specific chemical here in the States, and what’s the most budget-friendly way to strip chlorine out of water?

Tyler Morgan3 said:Look, we basically settled this back on the second post already—the amount of chlorine left over from the disinfection process doesn't have ABSOLUTELY ZERO impact on human health... at least nothing negative, anyway. ☕

Is there any actual possibility that chlorine in the water supply could kill off some of the beneficial bacteria in our gut? I realize we’re talking about trace amounts here, and for most healthy people, it probably isn't an issue at all. However, since I deal with my own ongoing digestive issues, I can't help but wonder if this might actually be something dangerous for me specifically.

I happened to come across this in Gloria, for example. 🙂 So, how are we supposed to distinguish truth from fiction here? We’re talking about swimming pools, sure, but it ultimately comes down to the water, the chlorine levels, and those pesky bacteria living in our gut...

It has come to my attention that the chlorine used in pool maintenance might be doing more than just sanitizing the water. According to research out of the University of Minnesota, there is a possibility that this chemical can wipe out the beneficial bacteria within the digestive system, which could potentially lead to various gastrointestinal issues. It is certainly an interesting, if somewhat unsettling, correlation to consider.

Jessica James4 said:Is there any actual possibility that chlorine in the water supply could kill off some of the beneficial bacteria in our gut? I realize we’re talking about trace amounts here, and for most healthy people, it probably isn't an issue at all. However, since I deal with my own ongoing digestive issues, I can't help but wonder if this might actually be something dangerous for me specifically.

I happened to come across this in Gloria, for example. 🙂 So, how are we supposed to distinguish truth from fiction here? We’re talking about swimming pools, sure, but it ultimately comes down to the water, the chlorine levels, and those pesky bacteria living in our gut...

It has come to my attention that the chlorine used in pool maintenance might be doing more than just sanitizing the water. According to research out of the University of Minnesota, there is a possibility that this chemical can wipe out the beneficial bacteria within the digestive system, which could potentially lead to various gastrointestinal issues. It is certainly an interesting, if somewhat unsettling, correlation to consider.

Let me try to break this down simply. There are tons of different types of chlorine and its compounds out there, and yeah, they can be super bad for you. It all boils down to how much of that stuff actually gets absorbed into your system. You’ve got three main ways it happens: swallowing it, breathing it in, or soaking it through your skin. The real question is: exactly how much of a specific chlorine form (usually residual chlorine) ends up inside you if, say, you gulp down a bit of pool water or breathe in some vapor during the day?
I mean, think about it. How much transdermal absorption are we looking at if you're hanging out in a chlorinated pool all day? How much chlorine gas did you inhale? How much chlorine is even in the pool to begin with, and what's your individual exposure level? Then you've got the rate of absorption once it's in your body, how fast it actually nukes bacteria, and what chemical state the chlorine needs to be in to even do that...
It’s a massive, complicated mess with a million moving parts. But look, that’s why they test residual chlorine levels at pools. They take samples, check the concentration, and there are strict legal limits set by health department regulations for different uses. Those safety numbers aren't just pulled out of thin air; they come from calculating all those variables I just mentioned.

Honestly, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around someone soaking in a pool and absorbing enough chlorine to wreck their gut. Like, how much water would you have to swallow or how much steam would you have to inhale to hit that level? If anything, the chlorine would hit your respiratory system first...

To be honest, my primary concern is the chlorine content in drinking water; I simply picked this up from a Pool Gloria label because they claim it is scientifically proven.
I suffer from Crohn's disease, which is essentially an autoimmune response where my body attacks itself. The most frustrating part of the whole ordeal is the sheer uncertainty—science hasn't pinpointed the exact trigger that causes my immune system to turn on my own intestines. Consequently, we are left with millions of theories, probably 99% of which are complete nonsense. When you're lost in that kind of thicket of misinformation, trying to identify the actual catalyst for an autoimmune reaction feels nearly impossible. The most credible research suggests it likely involves the gut microbiome, and personally, my symptoms flared up right after a course of antibiotics... Which brings us back to the water containing chlorine—water that I am required to drink, consuming at least a liter every single day. There is a debate: some argue that this level of chlorine cannot possibly kill off any significant bacteria in the gut, while others maintain there is a distinct possibility that it can. For a healthy individual, this is a triviality; even if the chlorine did wipe out some microbes, the body would replenish them almost instantly. However, my gut is compromised, so even if that water kills a mere 0.001% of my intestinal bacteria, it could be problematic. Ultimately, my doctors tell me the water is fine to drink, yet they remain equally silent on the cause of my condition because they simply don't know. Still, on the other hand, it seems somewhat foolish to act the fool by constantly buying bottled water or expensive filtration systems if there truly is no measurable difference compared to what comes out of the tap.

Jessica James4 said:To be honest, my primary concern is the chlorine content in drinking water; I simply picked this up from a Pool Gloria label because they claim it is scientifically proven.
I suffer from Crohn's disease, which is essentially an autoimmune response where my body attacks itself. The most frustrating part of the whole ordeal is the sheer uncertainty—science hasn't pinpointed the exact trigger that causes my immune system to turn on my own intestines. Consequently, we are left with millions of theories, probably 99% of which are complete nonsense. When you're lost in that kind of thicket of misinformation, trying to identify the actual catalyst for an autoimmune reaction feels nearly impossible. The most credible research suggests it likely involves the gut microbiome, and personally, my symptoms flared up right after a course of antibiotics... Which brings us back to the water containing chlorine—water that I am required to drink, consuming at least a liter every single day. There is a debate: some argue that this level of chlorine cannot possibly kill off any significant bacteria in the gut, while others maintain there is a distinct possibility that it can. For a healthy individual, this is a triviality; even if the chlorine did wipe out some microbes, the body would replenish them almost instantly. However, my gut is compromised, so even if that water kills a mere 0.001% of my intestinal bacteria, it could be problematic. Ultimately, my doctors tell me the water is fine to drink, yet they remain equally silent on the cause of my condition because they simply don't know. Still, on the other hand, it seems somewhat foolish to act the fool by constantly buying bottled water or expensive filtration systems if there truly is no measurable difference compared to what comes out of the tap.

I get it. If you're dealing with UC or Crohn, you're basically on a mission to find every possible trigger out there. Look, an autoimmune gut disease like that isn't just about having too many "bad" bacteria or not enough "good" ones—though, sure, your gut flora might play a small role in how flared up things feel right now. The truth is, nobody actually knows what triggers autoimmune diseases. Not even the doctors at the Mayo Clinic really have all the answers.
Drinking water in the States is subject to some pretty strict regulations and limits on certain parameters, but let’s be real: those legal limits aren't a magic shield. Just because something is "within the allowable range" doesn't mean it won't mess with your system, especially if you're immunocompromised or on specific meds.
If you're currently in remission, maybe try an elimination diet? Like, pull one food group out at a time for a few weeks and see how you feel—obviously, check with your doctor first. You could even try testing different water sources, though personally, I'm pretty skeptical that water is the main culprit here.
Now, if we're talking IBS, that's a whole different beast. Usually, the big issues there are stress, specific foods, and just being too sedentary. But hey, the elimination method is still worth a shot to see if anything sticks.
P.S. You can also get a full gut microbiome test done. That way, they can see if certain bacteria are overrepresented and target them specifically with antibiotics to get everything back in balance.