Why chlorine gas is used in water treatment instead of fluorine?

Chlorine kills pathogens such as bacteria and viruses by breaking the chemical bonds in their molecules. Disinfectants that are used for this purpose consist of chlorine compounds which can exchange atoms with other compounds, such as enzymes in bacteria and other cells.

Why fluorine is not used in water treatment?

Recent studies suggest that water fluoridation, particularly in industrialized nations, may be unnecessary because topical fluorides (such as in toothpaste) are widely used, and caries rates have become low.

Why is chlorine added in drinking water?

Drinking water chlorination is the addition of chlorine to drinking water systems. It is the most common type of drinking water disinfection. Disinfection kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause disease and immediate illness.

Is fluorine used as a disinfectant?

Halogens, including chlorine, fluorine, and iodine, are also commonly used for disinfection. Chlorine compounds, including sodium hypochlorite, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide, are commonly used for water disinfection.

What is the main advantage of using chlorine for disinfection and what is the major concern?

A leading advantage of chlorination is that it has proven effective against bacteria and viruses; however, it cannot inactivate all microbes. Some protozoan cysts are resistant to the effects of chlorine.

What are the advantages of using chlorine as a disinfectant?

The benefits of chlorination are:

• Proven reduction of most bacteria and viruses in water.
• Residual protection against recontamination.
• Ease-of-use and acceptability.
• Proven reduction of diarrheal disease incidence.
• Scalability and low cost.

Is fluorine added to drinking water?

Fluoride in drinking water Starting in 1962, the United States Public Health Service (PHS) recommended that public water supplies contain fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is now used in the public drinking water supplied to about 3 out of 4 Americans.

Can you mix chlorine and fluorine?

Reaction of fluorine with the halogens Fluorine, F2, reacts with chlorine, Cl2, at 225°C to form the interhalogen species ClF. The trifluoride chlorine(III) fluoride is also formed and the reaction does not go to completion.

Does drinking water contain chlorine?

Over 98 percent of U.S. water supply systems that disinfect drinking water use chlorine. In the U.S. we have depended on chlorine as our drinking water disinfectant for over a century.

How does chlorine disinfect water?

Chlorine is currently employed by over 98 percent of all U.S. water utilities that disinfect drinking water. Researchers postulated that chlorine, which exists in water as hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid, reacts with biomolecules in the bacterial cell to destroy the organism.

How much chlorine do you add to drinking water?

To disinfect water, add one part of the chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water you are treating. This is about the same as adding 1 pint (16 ounces) of the chlorine solution to 12.5 gallons of water.