What is commonly used for the disinfection of water?

What is commonly used for the disinfection of water?

• A. Fluorine
• B. Chlorine
• C. Hydrogen peroxide
• D. Chlorine dioxide

Answer: (B)

Chlorine is a widely used disinfectant for water treatment, primarily due to its effectiveness in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can contaminate drinking water and pose health risks. It works by releasing chlorine gas or chlorine compounds, which penetrate the cell walls of microorganisms, causing cellular damage and ultimately inactivating them. One of the main advantages of chlorine is its residual effect; it remains in the water long after the initial disinfection process, providing ongoing protection against potential recontamination as the water is distributed to consumers. This ability to maintain a disinfectant level is crucial for ensuring that the water remains safe throughout the delivery system. Other options, while they have their uses in specific scenarios, do not match the widespread applicability and efficiency of chlorine for general water disinfection. Fluorine is not typically used for disinfection purposes; hydrogen peroxide is more commonly utilized in specialized treatments rather than as a primary disinfectant; and chlorine dioxide, although an effective disinfectant as well, is not as universally adopted as chlorine itself for routine water treatment.

Chlorine is a widely used disinfectant for water treatment, primarily due to its effectiveness in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can contaminate drinking water and pose health risks. It works by releasing chlorine gas or chlorine compounds, which penetrate the cell walls of microorganisms, causing cellular damage and ultimately inactivating them.

One of the main advantages of chlorine is its residual effect; it remains in the water long after the initial disinfection process, providing ongoing protection against potential recontamination as the water is distributed to consumers. This ability to maintain a disinfectant level is crucial for ensuring that the water remains safe throughout the delivery system.

Other options, while they have their uses in specific scenarios, do not match the widespread applicability and efficiency of chlorine for general water disinfection. Fluorine is not typically used for disinfection purposes; hydrogen peroxide is more commonly utilized in specialized treatments rather than as a primary disinfectant; and chlorine dioxide, although an effective disinfectant as well, is not as universally adopted as chlorine itself for routine water treatment.