Chlorine, a description
Chlorine is found predominantly in salt. It is a chemical element of the halogen family, symbol CI. It is abundant in nature, its principal derivative is table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCI). It is necessary to most forms of life.
A natural phenomenon
Chlorine is the eleventh most abundant element in nature, often in chlorides. It is naturally present in the sea (sodium chloride), rivers and plants, as well as in salt deposits formed thousands of years ago by the evaporation of inland seas.
Connected to certain natural compounds, chlorine is a natural element in our environment, just as essential as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The human skin, teeth and even blood contain natural compounds based on chlorine. It plays an important role in the human immune system whereby, thanks to a special enzyme, the white cells of the human body create sodium hypochlorite (active chlorine) to kill threatening bacteria. In a certain way, it is as if the body invented disinfection by chlorine before the scientists did.
Sodium hypochlorite (active chlorine) = NaOCI
When sodium hypochlorite
(NaOCI) is placed in a watery
solution, it can be an effective
method of water purification. Amongst
its many applications are in cleansing dirty surfaces, bleaching
textile, removal of odours and disinfection of water. When the right
usage conditions are strictly adhered to, it can destroy up to 99.99%
of germs, bacteria, viruses, algae, eggs, spores and sporozoites. It is
relatively simple to produce, by electrolysis.
Learn more about chlorine & hypochlorite
To learn more about the discovery of chlorine, its production by electrolysis and its use throughout the world, you can read the following: