Chlorine is a common element that people use almost every day in their lives, even if they do not know it. The molecular formula for chlorine is Cl2, however elemental chlorine is not what people actually use on a day to day basis because that would be a greenish-yellow gas that’s extremely toxic to inhale (Chlorine). Instead, the common product that people use almost every day is bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite with a molecular formula of NaClO. There are many uses for using bleach because it is an effective cleaning agent, disinfectant, and bleaching agent (Sodium hypochlorite).
Unfortunately, there are a number of negative effects from using products containing chlorine these include the possibility of forming harmful byproducts. These byproducts such as chloroform, CHCl3, and dioxin, C12H4Cl4O2, are often released into the atmosphere and have the possibility to cause detrimental effects (Garennes, C). Chloroform is very volatile and evaporates shortly after being exposed to air; it is also extremely soluble in water. Chloroform does not dissolve in soil easily, so it can easily make its way into groundwater and the contamination can last a long time. Chloroform is not good for human health. It affects the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys after the inhalation of chloroform or ingestion of liquids that contain chloroform, in large amounts. When large amounts of chloroform come in contact with skin it can also cause sores (Public health statement). Dioxin too is extremely bad. It is an environmental pollutant that is extremely toxic. Dioxins affect many different organs in the human body. Exposure to high levels for short periods can lead to dioxins can lead to skin lesions, darkening of the skin, and liver malfunction. Long period exposure can debilitate the immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system (Dioxins and their).
Other negative side effects of using bleach are that it is a potent irritant to animals; eyes, the upper respiratory tract, and lungs being the most affected (Chlorine). Due to all of the possible negative consequences of using products that contain chlorine, it makes sense to use a safer alternative. A substitute for chlorine-containing products such as bleach is C34H54Cl2N10O14, or more commonly known as chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine can commonly be used in place of chlorine-based products for uses such as a disinfectant or antiseptic because unlike products containing chlorine, chlorhexidine can be used on the skin of animals (Chlorhexidine solution). Unfortunately, chlorhexidine is not foolproof, and in rare cases, it can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of a chlorhexidine induced allergic reaction include wheezing, difficulty breathing, cold sweats, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (Chlorhexidine gluconate (oral rinse)).
Due to the positive charge of chlorhexidine, it is an effective disinfectant because it reacts with the cell surface which is negatively charged therefore destroying the structure of the membrane of the cell. Once the membrane of the cell is compromised due to the chlorhexidine, it then flows into the cell and causes death because the inside components start to leak out. Bacteria that have a higher negative charge is more likely to be killed using chlorhexidine, an example of this is gram-positive bacteria (Chlorhexidine gluconate).
Many people know chlorhexidine as a 0.12% oral rinse that reduces bacteria in the mouth prescribed by a doctor after an oral surgery such as having wisdom teeth being pulled and bone graphs. Chlorhexidine is also used as a professional way to treat gingivitis (Chlorhexidine). It is also used as for patient preoperative skin preparation and wound cleansing (Antiseptic skin cleaner). A more uncommon use that people do know of for chlorhexidine is in horse barns.
Many people who own horses clean their horse feed buckets, which hold the horse’s food, and water buckets, which hold the horse’s water, with chlorhexidine. The reason that bleach is not used in cleaning these buckets is that it is not the safest substance to use, especially on items that will have direct contact with food and water. Fortunately, chlorhexidine has all of the benefits as bleach in bacteria prevention but is not fatal if there is any trace ingestion (Knopp, L).