Final answer:
Chlorine compounds are predominantly used for large-scale water disinfection in municipal water treatment, pool sanitation, and in certain industries for equipment sanitation and food safety. They need to be handled with care due to potential health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gaseous and liquid chlorine compounds are mostly used for large-scale water disinfection. When mixed with water, chlorine gas forms hypochlorous acid, a potent oxidant that efficiently kills microorganisms and is commonly used in municipal water and wastewater treatment. Chlorinated compounds, like sodium hypochlorite and chloramines, are also used in food processing, restaurant industries, and household cleaning for their disinfecting properties.
These compounds must be handled carefully due to their toxic and corrosive nature, requiring protective gear to minimize exposure risks during use. Beyond water treatment, sodium hypochlorite is a component of household bleach, and hypochlorite salts disinfect swimming pools. Chlorine dioxide, a gaseous agent, is used for sterilization and water disinfection as well.
Ultimately, while chlorine compounds are effective for disinfection, they also pose handling risks and may not eradicate all resistant organisms, emphasizing the need for safety measures when using these substances for sanitizing equipment and treating water.