What Is Chlorine? Harms Of Consumption And How To Remove It

What is chlorine? Chlorine is known worldwide for disinfecting water and keeping public supplies safe from harmful pathogens. In fact, most municipal systems in the U.S. add between 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L of chlorine to drinking water to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

But while small amounts of chlorine serve a vital role, many people are rightfully wary of the chemical smell or taste in their water. That uneasy feeling? It’s not unfounded.

Let’s explore what is chlorine, how it affects your health, and how to easily remove it from your daily water intake.

 

What Is Chlorine?

Chlorine (Cl) is a naturally occurring chemical element and part of the halogen family, which also includes fluorine, bromine, and iodine. It’s widely used in industrial applications and as a powerful disinfectant, especially in municipal water treatment.

At room temperature, chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas with a strong odor. It’s highly reactive and commonly combines with other elements, such as sodium, to form compounds like table salt (NaCl).

 

Is Chlorine A Metal?

No, chlorine is not a metal. It's a non-metal gas that’s highly electronegative, meaning it readily gains electrons during reactions. It’s also a poor conductor of electricity and is commonly found in nature as part of compounds, rather than in its raw gaseous form.

 

What Are 3 Properties Of Chlorine? 

Here are 3 properties of chlorine for reference:

  • Toxic when concentrated: While small amounts are utilized in water filtration, inhaling or consuming chlorine in its raw form or in large amounts has been proven harmful. 
  • Extremely reactive: Chlorine actively forms compounds, especially with metals, to create salts. For example, chloride (Cl) reacts with sodium (Na) to form table salt (NaCl). 
  • Green-yellow gas: If you are ever trying to identify chlorine by color, it exists as a distinct greenish-yellow gas at room temperature. 

These core properties explain both chlorine’s usefulness in controlled applications — like water treatment — and the risks of overexposure.

 

Does Chlorine Have A Smell? 

Yes. Have you ever taken a swim in a pool and wondered what that distinctive chemical smell was? That was likely the chlorine. Even in low concentrations, it's easy to detect. This strong scent is one of the reasons many people are put off by chlorinated tap water.

 

Is Chlorine And Bleach The Same Chemical?

Not exactly. While bleach contains chlorine, it is not pure chlorine. Household bleach is made with sodium hypochlorite, a chlorine-based compound used for disinfecting and cleaning. Chlorine gas, on the other hand, is used in water treatment for similar microbial control — but in a more potent form.

 

Is There Chlorine In Tap Water?

Yes. Most tap water in the United States contains chlorine. It's intentionally added by municipal treatment facilities to kill viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Studies show that 72.9% of Americans rely on tap water for drinking, cooking, making ice, and cleaning — meaning chlorine is part of everyday life for most people.

While regulations exist to keep levels within safe limits, daily consumption of chlorinated water still raises concerns, especially over time.


Why Does Tap Water Have Chlorine?

In the process of chlorination, municipal water treatment facilities add chlorine to water to kill viruses, bacteria, and other harmful toxins. However, when chlorine reacts with organic matter (like leaves or algae) during treatment, it forms disinfection byproducts (DBPs) — some of which, like trihalomethanes (THMs), have been linked to health risks with long-term exposure.

The million-dollar question is — is drinking chlorine harmful? And if it is, what exactly is the harm?


What’s The Harm In Consuming Chlorine?

What is chlorine, and what’s so bad about consuming it? Well, the answer is much darker than you think.

Statistics show us that around 1 million people die every year from diarrhea, just by consuming unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and poor hand hygiene.

While regulated levels of chlorine are considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consistent exposure to chlorine and its byproducts may contribute to several health issues:

  • Bladder and colorectal cancers

  • Respiratory irritation, especially in people with asthma

  • Skin irritation and dryness, particularly for those with sensitive skin

  • Unpleasant taste and odor, which can discourage proper hydration

And if that didn’t sound harmful enough, consuming chlorine in tap water over time or in high concentrations may also lead to chlorine poisoning.


What Is Chlorine Poisoning, And What Are The Symptoms?

Chlorine poisoning occurs when someone is exposed to dangerously high levels of chlorine — either by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Take note, this is rare from tap water but it can happen in industrial or accidental settings.

The symptoms include: 

  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Burning sensation in the throat or chest

  • Eye or skin irritation

If severe, medical attention should be sought immediately.


How To Get Chlorine Out Of Tap Water

Even though small amounts of chlorine are technically safe, many people choose to eliminate it from their drinking water for taste, odor, or health reasons.

Here are the most effective ways on how to get rid of chlorine in tap water:

1. Boiling

Does boiling water remove chlorine? Somewhat. Boiling water for 15–20 minutes allows chlorine (a volatile compound) to evaporate. However, this method is time-consuming and not always practical for daily use. There is another caveat to this method.

⚠️ Note: Boiling does not remove chloramine, a related disinfectant increasingly used in municipal systems.

2. Distilling

Distillation involves heating water until it becomes vapor and then condensing it back into liquid form, separating out most contaminants.

Yes, it’s effective in removing chlorine. However, it’s time-consuming, it requires expensive equipment, and it may not remove chloramine either. So it’s not exactly the most practical method.

3. Letting Water Sit

You can remove chlorine by leaving an open container of tap water in your fridge. While this process is tedious and takes 24 hours or more, the chlorine will eventually evaporate, depending on the water’s volume. But take note, this method does not remove chloramine.

4. Activated Charcoal Filters

Activated charcoal filters, like those used in Carbon8, are among the most effective and convenient solutions.

These filters are certified to reduce:

  • Chlorine taste and odor (NSF/ANSI Standard 42)

  • Potential disinfection byproducts

  • Other contaminants like VOCs and sediments

⭐ Bonus: Carbon8 uses a high-quality activated charcoal filter for its home Sparkling Water Maker — so you’re not just removing chlorine, you’re upgrading hydration.

5. Vitamin C Filters

Often used in shower filters, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) neutralizes both chlorine and chloramine. It's effective but typically limited to bathing applications… unless adapted for drinking water.

6. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

RO systems use a multi-stage filtration process and a semi-permeable membrane to remove chlorine, chloramine, and other chemicals. It’s a highly effective method, but it’s mega-expensive and it often wastes water in the process — which is terrible for the environment.

Amidst these promising options, you’re probably wondering about the easiest, most talked about one. Let’s go further in depth about boiling water, which is the commonplace practice most people assume would work for removing chlorine from tap water.


Does Boiling Water Remove Chlorine?

Yes, boiling water can help remove chlorine, but it’s not the best-proven method nor is it foolproof. Chlorine is volatile, and it evaporates when water is boiled for 15 to 20 minutes. While this is true, it isn't necessarily proven practical because it doesn’t remove chloramine, which is a more potent disinfectant to separate from water.

For consistent, safe, and great-tasting water, a quality filtration system, like Carbon8 Water, is the better option.


With Carbon8, Chlorine Consumption Is Out Of The Question

Carbon8 Water offers a Sparkling Water Maker that filters, purifies, and carbonates tap water, ensuring that it’s both safe and enjoyable to consume from the comfort of your own home.

Unlike traditional systems that simply mask the taste of chlorine, Carbon8 actively filters it out using a high-performance activated charcoal filter. This filter is designed to reduce chlorine and other unpleasant contaminants like microplastics, so you’re not just drinking clean water—you’re drinking water that actually tastes clean.

That’s a big deal, especially if you’re among the millions who’ve given up on drinking straight from the tap because of that harsh, chemical smell or bitter aftertaste.

Even better? The filter also adds minerals commonly found in spring water, such as Calcium, Potassium, and Magnesium.

Carbon8 gives you a reason to ditch plastic bottles and the chlorine that comes with unfiltered tap water — for good.

 

What Is Chlorine? Bottom Line

Chlorine plays a crucial role in public health… but that doesn’t mean it belongs in your glass. Whether you’re concerned about taste, long-term exposure, or just want a cleaner sip, removing chlorine from your water is a smart move.

Systems like Carbon8 make it simple. No boiling, no waiting, no second guessing. Just pure, clean, great-tasting sparkling water, filtered right at home.

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