Bamboo Salt English | Page 21

Experiment about hypochlorite removal capacity of bamboo salt, solar salt, and refined salt The typical purification method for water we drink is chlorine disinfection. It is way to put chlorine gas or chlorine compounds in water directly. It’s well-known for its low cost compared to other sterilization methods and it has an excellent disinfection effect. However, if you put chlorine gas or chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) in water, hypochlorite is generated. Cl 2 + H 2 O → HClO (hypochlorite) + HCl In this process, chlorine reacts with the organic materials in the water, and a carcinogen called trihalomethanes can be generated. Once trihalomethanes enters the body, it doesn’t decompose easily and accumulates in fat cells, causing DNA transformation or degradation of immunity. In addition, hypochlorite generates strong free radicals, and decomposes the body’s fat cells and vitamin E. So it can exacerbate atopic dermatitis, and causes acne, psoriasis, and eczema, etc. It is often the cause of hair cracking or the loss of elasticity and radiance in the hair because it destroys the natural components of hair. It was investigated if bamboo salt, solar salt, and refined salt have the ability to decompose hypochlorite, which is harmful for the human body. 21 21