Five Tips For Avoiding Chlorine In Daily Life

Chlorine is all around us. It is a natural chemical that has long been used as a bacteria-killing disinfectant. It does its job quite well–but at what cost?

An increasing body of research published in scientific journals and other publications are pointing to the risks posed by the absorption of chlorine either through the skin or from ingestion. While chlorine is necessary for the decontamination of water, that doesn’t mean we need to put up with having it absorbed into our bodies.

Here are three ways in which we are exposed to chlorine that we can easily control.

1) Stop using chlorine bleach in the laundry.

There are many good detergents on the market today that will get your whites clean without resorting to the use of bleach. Consider switching, because this is one of the easiest ways to avoid chlorine coming in contact with your body.

2) Use a chlorine shower filter.

The water supply often contains chlorine, albeit in small doses. When you shower day after day, this chlorine adds up in the way that it gets absorbed through the skin and damages your hair. Even worse, you end up breathing in chlorine from water that turns to steam in a hot shower. Avoid all of this by installing a chlorine shower filter, which will eliminate most of the chemical before it ever reaches your body. A chlorine filter is not very expensive and is easy to install, maintain, and replace.

3) Avoid pools and hot tubs.

This is not intended to spoil the fun for anyone, but it should be no surprise to anyone that pools and hot tubs use tons of chlorine that then comes in contact with your body. If you must use them, then at least avoid public pools which are the likeliest to contain very high amounts of chlorine. Also, watch the total time you spend in the water.

4) Stop using chlorine bleach as household cleaner.

Sometimes you may not have a choice, but whenever possible you should avoid using pure chlorine bleach when cleaning. It gets on your skin directly when you clean, plus you breathe in the fumes. Switch instead to a gentler cleaner that can get your bathroom or kitchen just as clean without the chlorine hassles.

5) Watch your drinking water.

Again, the water supply contains chlorine. One alternative is to use bottled water, but that is not very environmentally friendly. A better option is to filter your water. You can use a refrigerator filter for an automatic dispenser, or a faucet filter, or even a filter jug that you fill with tap water and put in your fridge.

You probably can’t avoid chlorine entirely in daily life, but if you observe these common points of contact you are much more likely to drastically reduce your exposure to it.

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