Final answer:
Chlorine compounds like chloramines and sodium hypochlorite are effective as disinfectants and bleaching agents, but can cause irritation and may not eliminate all organisms. They can also form by-products like chloramines with distinctive odors. It's vital to balance their use with environmental and health concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chlorine compounds have a range of uses and effects, both beneficial and harmful. In terms of advantages, chlorine compounds like sodium hypochlorite and chloramines are effective as disinfectants in water treatment and for keeping swimming pools clean. Chlorine dioxide and dichlorine oxide serve as potent bleaching agents for pulp and food processing industries.
Despite these advantages, chlorine compounds can also have disadvantages. They can irritate the skin, nose, or eyes and may not fully eliminate certain organisms, such as Cryptosporidium, from contaminated water. Moreover, chlorine reacts with organic substances to form chloramines, which have a distinctive smell often associated with swimming pools. These by-products can have health implications and are less effective than chlorine gas, although safer to handle.
Environmental considerations are also important. While chlorine is essential for water disinfection, it can contribute to the formation of harmful substances such as trihalomethanes when it reacts with natural organic matter in the water. Therefore, its use needs to be carefully managed and balanced with public health needs and environmental protection.