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Dangers of Showering in Chlorine
Though water is an essential component of nature as well as our body, yet
it can be one of the dangerous substance for all living creatures, specially
human being, if not taken in purest form. Water in its natural form is
generally full of a number of contaminants and impurities, whose long term
use can badly affect the health of a person. The harmful chemicals and
pollutants not only affect through drinking and cooking, but they can pose
endanger during bathing as well.
It is really very important to eliminate all the unwanted toxins from water
to enjoy optimum health. This includes the dangers of showering in
chlorinated water. Chlorine is like a toxin, which we don't need in our
life.
Sources of Chlorine in Our Life
Chlorine is present in a number of forms in our daily life:
- Chlorine is used in the manufacture of aerosols, pesticides, and even
hydrochloric acid.
- Chlorine is an extremely strong household disinfectant.
- Chlorine is used to bleach paper. It is also used to bleach wood pulp
in paper mills.
- Chlorine was used as a chemical weapon in world war one-it was known
as mustard gas.
Effects of Chlorine on Our Body
If we are exposed to chlorine on a regular basis via a chlorinated shower
or any other means, we make our body prone to be adversely affected. During
a hot shower, with chlorine present in the water, the chlorine remains on
our skin and enter your lungs, which affects the natural stasis if bacteria
on your skin-making it dull and lifeless. And if chlorine enters your lungs,
it can prove worst for you.
- Acute Effects of Chlorine
Chlorine badly affects our health and specially the sense organs. If
the amount of chlorine increase to higher levels, it may result in the
following effects in humans: Mild mucous membrane irritation, Chest
pain, Vomiting, Dypsnea, Cough, Toxic Pneumonitis and pulmonary edema.
It is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause severe burns in
humans. The intensity of the affect depends on the amount of chlorine
intake. Some of its acute effects are:
- Chlorine is a stiff irritant in humans to the eyes, the upper
respiratory tract, and the lungs.
- Tickling of the nose and throat, itching of the nose.
- Stinging or dryness of the nose and throat.
- Burning of the conjunctiva and pain.
- Discomfort ranging from ocular and respiratory irritation to
coughing, shortness of breath, headaches.
- Chronic Effects of Chlorine
- Those workers who are chronically exposed to chlorine gas have
suffered respiratory problems, like throat irritation, airflow
obstruction, etc.
- It may lead to decreased body weight gain, eye and nose
irritation, and non neoplastic lesions and respiratory epithelial
hyperplasia from chronic inhalation exposure to chlorine.
- Chlorine is a major cause for 'Reactive Airways Dysfunction',
which is basically a disease that mimics asthma. Those people who
already have breathing problems like asthma, chlorine aggravate
their problems.
- Once chlorine enters our blood stream, it has the potential to
react with carbon and form Hydrochloric acid in our own body.