Question detail
Describe one risk associated with the use of chlorine in water treatment.
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At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Group 7(17), the halogens
Question
Describe one risk associated with the use of chlorine in water treatment.
Answer
One risk of using chlorine in water treatment is the formation of harmful chlorinated by-products, such as trihalomethanes, which can pose health risks to humans.
Explanation
This answer effectively identifies a specific risk linked to chlorine use, demonstrating an understanding of the potential negative consequences of water treatment processes. The question assesses the ability to evaluate the safety of chlorine in public health.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Chlorine's Role
Students often confuse the role of chlorine in water treatment as solely a disinfectant, neglecting its role in oxidation and the formation of chlorinated compounds.
Chlorine acts as a strong oxidizing agent in water treatment. When chlorine is added to water, it reacts to form hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which kills bacteria and other pathogens. The reaction can be summarized as: Cl2 + H2O ⇌ HOCl + HCl. This shows that chlorine not only disinfects but also contributes to the formation of chlorinated by-products.
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