Does ZeroWater remove chlorine?

Published on 20/08/2020 Last updated on 17/08/2023

It is normal for tap water to taste like chlorine in many places worldwide, for example, in France and Spain. Some drinking water companies add a very limited amount of chlorine to the drinking water in the Netherlands.

What is chlorine?

Chlorine is a chemical element that belongs to the group of halogens. It is not found on earth in free form but is frequently connected with other elements, such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Molecular chlorine (Cl2) is at room temperature a very toxic yellow-green gas that is much heavier than air. This form is not released into the atmosphere due to its high reactivity. Chlorine is in the periodic table with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17.

How does chlorine enter the drinking water?

In many places in the world, chlorine is added to water for its bactericidal and purifying properties. For instance, if you’ve been on vacation in Spain or Italy, you’ve probably tasted it right from the tap water. It may be an idea to filter foreign tap water with a water filter. If you’re going on vacation, a filter easily fits in your suitcase, and during the vacation, it provides better water and better coffee and tea. In the Netherlands, no chlorine is usually added to purified water, although a few drinking water companies use small amounts of chlorine dioxide.

A well-known application of chlorine is kitchen salt: sodium chloride. It works here as a seasoning and flavor enhancer with most of the foods we consume. Salt was formerly used as a preservative before the existence of refrigerators and the like. Meat was rubbed with salt to dry out the bacteria.

Chlorine is also widely used in the industry. Products such as paints, plastics, insecticides, pesticides, and medicines contain chlorine. As a result, chlorine can contaminate the environment when disposing of waste. Chlorine is also often used as a bleaching agent and is added to swimming pools.

What are the health effects of chlorine?

Molecular chlorine, chlorine gas, is highly toxic. In the First World War, it was used as a chemical weapon and caused lung damage and asphyxiation. Fortunately, we don’t just come across molecular chlorine.

However, chlorine in drinking water also has health disadvantages. Chlorine reacts very easily with other (organic) substances in water. These reactions are the origin of trihalomethanes. These substances are carcinogenic and can cause cell damage.

Moreover, there are two sides to the bactericidal properties of chlorine. Chlorine does not distinguish between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Pathogens in water are killed by chlorine, but good bacteria in our bodies are also affected.

The recommended daily amount of chloride for adults is a maximum of 3.6 grams. The high chlorine content in water is often noticeable by the taste; The ZeroWater water filter can then offer a solution.

Does ZeroWater filter chlorine from tap water?

Yes, ZeroWater filters 99% chlorine from tap water. The Premium 5-stage Ionization Changer Filtration System removes more impurities than the standard 2-stage filters. During the test, ZeroWater had 150 liters of filtered water (double the prescribed use) tested by an independently certified external laboratory. The test results are based on the NSF/ANSI test protocol of flow-through equipment for contaminants listed under the national primary drinking water standards.