Chlorine Tablets Info

The element chlorine has the atomic number 17 and appears in the periodic table between Sulfur and Argon. Chlorine was first discovered in the sixteenth century and is today one of the most widely used chemicals in both residential and industrial settings around the world. Chlorine is the most widely used method of disinfecting swimming pools in the world today, although there are other, less popular methods available on the market.

Chlorine’s natural form is a yellowish gas. Chlorine is a hazardous chemical to deal with and must be handled with caution at all times. In the specific application of being used for the cleansing of swimming pool water, chlorine usually comes in tablet or granulated form. The manufacturer will always provide very detailed instructions on how to use said chlorine tablets and these must be followed to the letter.

photo credit: rharrison

Chlorine gas has previously been used in 20th century warfare, most notoriously in the trenches of the First World War. The use of chlorine gas in warfare was pioneered by a German scientist named Fritz Haber of Berlin’s Keiser Wilhelm Institute and was first used by German forces in 1915 . It was subsequently used by both sides before being replaced by the more lethal mustard gas. Chlorine gas has also been used in conflicts in Iraq in the form of chlorine bombs and caused horrendous casualties.

Some adverse health effects of chlorine gas include coughing, vomiting and aggrivation to the respiratory system and eyes. Chlorine’s most devastating feature is that it can change to hydrochloric acid when coming into contact with water, which is obviously why it causes so much damage when breathed in.

It should be stressed however, that when used in controlled conditions, chlorine and chlorine tablets represent a robust and cost-efficient method of disinfecting swimming pools, spas and such like and the benefits far outweigh the small risks associated.

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