EPA is committed to reducing environmental releases of chemicals through source reduction and other practices that reduce creation of pollutants. Chlorine is a highly reactive gas. It is a naturally occurring element. US demand for chlorine is expected to increase slightly over the next several years and then decline. The expected decline in US demand is due to environmental concerns for chlorinated organic chemicals.
Paper companies use chlorine to bleach paper.
Water and wastewater treatment plants use chlorine to reduce water levels of microorganisms that can spread disease to humans. Exposure to chlorine can occur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, or land. People who use laundry bleach and swimming pool chemicals containing chlorine products are usually not exposed to chlorine itself. Chlorine is generally found only in industrial settings. Chlorine enters the body breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water.