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Uses of chlorine
Virtually every part of the home benefits from chlorine chemistry. Chlorine contributes to
advances in areas as diverse as disinfection, medicine, public safety and enhancing everyday
life.
Life itself depends on chlorine and its ability to react with other elements. Chlorinated
compounds occur naturally in humans and are found in blood, skin and teeth. Even white blood
cells need chlorine to enable them to fight off infections.
Disinfection
Fighting diseases
Chlorine was first used in drinking water in the late 19th century to control the spread of water-
borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera. Fighting these diseases remains vital today.
Chlorine acts as a powerful disinfection agent when used either on its own or as sodium
hypochlorite. When added to water, it quickly kills bacteria and other microbes.
In addition to purifying water, chlorine helps remove tastes and odours, controls the growth
of slime and algae in mains pipes and storage tanks, and helps to remove unwanted nitrogen
compounds from water.
• In the US, annual deaths from cholera totalled 25 000 in 1900. By 1960, this figure had fallen
to
fewer than 20.
• In 1986, 4 000 people in Tenerife were hospitalized due to water contamination which
followed
the withdrawal of chlorine.
A range of chlorine compounds - including iron(III) chloride and hydrochloric acid - are used
to purify waste water and sewage.
In the home, chlorine-based products are used in laundry bleach, dishwasher detergents,
scouring powders and paper towels, and as all-purpose disinfectants to kill common household
germs.
Disinfectants based on chlorine keep swimming pool water safe by killing a range of
dangerous microbes which could otherwise threaten health.
Medical applications
Stops infections
In hospitals, chlorine compounds help protect patients from infections through their use in
cleaning, disinfection and as antiseptics. Among their many benefits are the abilities to:
• kill bacteria which can live in hospital water and air conditioning systems.
Medicines
Some 85% of pharmaceuticals contain or are manufactured using chlorine, including products
to treat Aids, allergies, arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension,
infections, pneumonia and ulcers. Chlorine-containing compounds are also important
intermediates in the manufacture of vitamin C.
Medical devices
• chlorine-based plastics are used to make intravenous drips and blood bags, sterile tubing and
packaging;
Public safety
In public safety, chlorine is used to make protective equipment for police officers and fire-
fighters:
• chlorine-based plastics are used to make protective helmets, face shields and spectacles;
• polycarbonate (produced using chlorine) is used to make bullet-resistant glass for police
cars,
bank teller windows and security vehicles;
• Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) resins used for their barrier coating properties, particularly in
food packaging.
Area Examples
House construction • PVC window frames and plumbing pipes;
wire and cable insulation.
1 Sodium hypochlorite solution is easy to handle. (Chlorine is stored in heavy steel cylinders
which are difficult to transport.)
2 Toxic
c) Chlorine gas will be given off when the bleach is mixed with acids.
2 If the concentration of chlorine in the water is too low, it is ineffective in killing germs.
1 Chlorine is used:
• to treat sewage to reduce odour and increase the digesting efficiencies of sewage
disposal
systems.
3
d) The colour of the piece of cloth is removed. The bleaching action of chlorine bleach
is due to the oxidizing action of the hypochlorite ion.
oxidized form
• Chlorine bleach can damage delicate materials such as wool, silk, paper, etc.
• Sewage containing chlorine bleach will cause water pollution if discharged directly into
the sewage system.
• Chlorine bleach must be stored in cool places and away from direct sunlight. This is
because hypochlorite is unstable and it gradually decomposes into chloride and
oxygen. This decomposition takes place faster if the temperature is higher.
6 D
9 C The solution becomes orange due to the formation of bromine. In the reaction,
chlorine atoms gain electrons and bromide ions lose electrons. Chlorine oxidizes
bromide ions to bromine.
Cl2(aq) + 2e- 2Cl- (aq)
2Br-(aq) Br2(aq) + 2e-
10 B
11 D
12 A (3) When chlorine is passed into cold and dilute sodium hydroxide solution,
sodium chloride and sodium hypochlorite are formed.
Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + NaOCl(aq) + H2O(l)
13 D
15 B (1) Chlorine bleach can damage delicate materials such as wool, silk, paper, etc.
(3) Sewage containing chlorine bleach will cause water pollution if discharged
directly into the sewage system.
16 -
17 a) The mercury electrode is the cathode because sodium is produced at the
mercury electrode.
18 -
19 -