It could no more easily be banned than sunlight or aflatoxin, a natural carcinogen produced by mold. However, the exaggerated accusations regarding chlorine's damaging health effects do not stand up to scientific scrutiny. Prestigious and well-respected scientific groups, including the Society of Toxicology, the American Chemical Society and the American Medical Association, have spoken out against simplistic strategies for grouping and eliminating chlorinated compounds. Chlorine and chlorinated compounds are essential for maintaining America's health and for improving the standard of living in both the Western world and emerging nations. Chlorinated pesticides allow the production of an adequate and inexpensive supply of fruits and vegetables.
Chlorinated compounds are essential for the production of lifesaving pharmaceuticals.
Certain chlorinated compounds can be considered health threats at high doses. But as with any potentially harmful chemical, chlorinated or not, safe management is the key to preventing harmful exposures and toxic consequences. In the past, harmful compounds have been identified and subsequently either controlled or banned.