scrAPES Week 4
Topic: All's Well? Is Chlorine the Best Option for Purifying Drinking Water?
By: Anonymous of EarthTalk
Date: April 15th, 2013
Summary
The use of chlorine has been implemented as an effective method of water sanitization for years, and as a result, life expectancies have increased as much as 50% over the last century ever since this method has been used. However, concerns over chlorine's carcinogenic and lead-leaching properties have surfaced, generating controversy as to whether this process really does the good job it is projected to do. This problem has since been a prime reason to switch to other filtering methods, such as faucet filters; or the increasingly pricey option of UV and ozonation units.
Reflection
I believe that the use of chemicals in water is indeed a cheaper way to cleaner water, but the movement towards more healthful approaches is definitely the way to go despite chlorine's effectiveness. If this chemical is continually being used over generations, the aforementioned effects of the chemical (birth defects, heart disease) could affect growth. If we don't use these alternatives now, we may not be able to choose these options later, because it could be too late.
By: Anonymous of EarthTalk
Date: April 15th, 2013
Summary
The use of chlorine has been implemented as an effective method of water sanitization for years, and as a result, life expectancies have increased as much as 50% over the last century ever since this method has been used. However, concerns over chlorine's carcinogenic and lead-leaching properties have surfaced, generating controversy as to whether this process really does the good job it is projected to do. This problem has since been a prime reason to switch to other filtering methods, such as faucet filters; or the increasingly pricey option of UV and ozonation units.
Reflection
I believe that the use of chemicals in water is indeed a cheaper way to cleaner water, but the movement towards more healthful approaches is definitely the way to go despite chlorine's effectiveness. If this chemical is continually being used over generations, the aforementioned effects of the chemical (birth defects, heart disease) could affect growth. If we don't use these alternatives now, we may not be able to choose these options later, because it could be too late.