Final answer:
Chlorine is the usual choice for sanitization due to its strong oxidizing nature and effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens, being significantly more effective than alternatives like bromine and iodine. It also has broad application across different industries. However, care must be taken in its handling due to potential risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chlorine is commonly used for sanitation due to its strong oxidizing properties and effectiveness as a disinfectant. When chlorine gas is mixed with water, it forms hypochlorous acid which is adept at killing bacteria and other microbes.
This makes chlorine especially useful in water treatment for both drinking water and swimming pools. Additionally, chlorine is highly effective against a variety of pathogens, including Escherichia coli, as well as in the oxidation and destruction of organic or biological materials.
Another reason for the common use of chlorine in sanitization is its superior disinfection capability compared to other halogens like bromine and iodine. Chlorine, as a disinfectant, is more than three times as effective against Escherichia coli compared to bromine, and over six times more effective than iodine.
The ease of generating chlorine-based disinfectants like sodium hypochlorite and the broad application across various industries—including food processing—further solidify chlorine's position as the sanitizer of choice for many applications.
While chlorine is a powerful and versatile disinfectant, it must be used with care as it can be harmful in excess amounts, potentially irritating skin and mucous membranes. It also may form byproducts, such as chloramines, which can have their own set of drawbacks.
Nevertheless, the balance between efficacy and risk management makes chlorine-based products highly valued and widely adopted for sanitization purposes. Proper usage and handling are essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.