health risk from chloroform?

Question

Chloroform can cause cancer but Chloroform is also an effective cough suppressant that has been used in many over-the-counter medications. Children's cough syrups used to contain several percent of Chloroform. To what extent does this provide convincing evidence that Chloroform in drinking water is not a health hazard and therefore that Chlorination of drinking water is safe?

Answer 1

As already mentioned taht the main hazarde of using choloform is the intake of phosgene(COCl2). It is formed by the oxidation of CHCl3 is presence of sunlight & air. It is very poisonous but its formation can be avoided & it may also be removed by adding traces of Ethyl alcohol to the sample. That is why Chloroform is stored in opaque bottles.

The second line hazard is from chloroform itself as extensive & prolonged usage of chloroform may mause intervisceral bleeding specially from the liver.

But u need not worry since there is very little probability of formation of CHCl3 by chlorination of water. Also the usage of chloroform MAY ( yes not surely) cause hazard. Here also creeps in the probability. But to be in the safe side try to avoid it.

Answer 2

Chloroform when exposed to light in the presence of air (oxygen) gives phosgene (COCl2) which is toxic. Chlorination of drinking water has a very low probability to give chloroform since much of the bulk organic matter is removed before chlorinating.