Into thousands of things you see and use every day. Every time you drink a glass of water, read a newspaper, put on a vinyl raincoat, brush your teeth or drive a car, you are using chlorine in some form. Chlorine guards against diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery in drinking water. About 85 percent of the top-selling medicines are manufactured using chlorine chemistry. Chlorine helps ensure that products like disposable diapers and paper towels are strong and absorbent.
Chlorine also plays a role in the classroom.
For example, it is used to make the vinyl and polyester in backpacks, is a critical component of computer chips, helps in the production of rubber for pencil erasers, and strengthens and brightens notebook paper. Just because a chlorine molecule is attached to something does not make it the same as something else containing chlorine. For example, consider the following four salts.