Did you know that Hydrogen Peroxide can be used for water treatment? This chemical is not widely recognized for its benefits in water sanitation. The chemical also has a range of benefits to the user besides the normal sanitation effect that it achieves. Read on to learn more about the benefits and possible demerits that it might have.
Hydrogen Peroxide is a chemical made entirely of two elements: Hydrogen and Oxygen. These are the same elements that the water molecule is made of.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Treated Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, but in very low concentrations. The consumption of Hydrogen Peroxide treated water is a controversial subject, with many proponents keen on citing several benefits. Among them is that it is a fast method of adding oxygen to one’s body. Hydrogen peroxide comes in several different concentrations depending on the intended usage. Industrial products, which have the highest concentrations, are seldom available to the public in most stores. Products meant for the general public are often in low concentrations.
One of the key reasons why hydrogen peroxide is preferable by most proponents is that it often degrades to its basic elements. As a result, this means that it is generally environmentally friendly as compared to the other alternatives such as chlorine. Hydrogen Peroxide is recognized for its benefits in the elimination of disease-causing pathogens such as viruses, protozoa, and bacteria.
Chlorine Vs Hydrogen Peroxide For Water Treatment
Water disinfectants such as chlorine and Hydrogen are oxidizing agents. This property enables them to oxidize the unwanted elements and render the water safe for consumption. One quality that separates Hydrogen Peroxide from Chlorine is the fact that it does not leave any traces after reacting. Chlorine works differently.
In most municipal water supply systems, excess chlorine is often infused into the water before commencing its supply to various households. This often ensures that the water remains safe in the pipes, and continues to do so even when stored in the domestic settings. Hydrogen peroxides ought not to be dosed such that residual concentrations remain in the water as this might be toxic.
It is often advisable that chlorine is used to only treat water that is free of any turbidity. This is because turbid water tends to react with chlorine to form chloramines. In effect, these resultant compounds can be harmful to human health. However, Hydrogen Peroxide is more suitably used in waters that have not been sufficiently cleared of turbid material with no risks of formation of harmful chemical compounds.
Advantages of Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide, unlike chlorine, which is often used to disinfect water, does not leave any residuals when used in the correct quantities.
Some parties have suggested that the consumption of small quantities of hydrogen peroxide helps the body fight certain ailments. Diseases such as AIDS and cancers are cited as examples of those that can be alleviated through the intake of hydrogen peroxide in water. However, since scanty scientific evidence is available to verify these claims, the possible benefits of these claims remain a grey area.
When compared to the action of chlorine as a method of water disinfection, Hydrogen Peroxide is more rapid and is tolerant over a greater range of pH.
Disadvantages of Hydrogen Peroxide As Disinfectant
The chemical is hardly a viable method for vast water treatment programs due to its cost. It is most often expensive compared to chlorine, hence is not an economical way of water disinfection.
The risks of overdosing on the water to be treated are high. This is because there are no clear guidelines as to the correct amounts to achieve complete sanitation. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally broken down to produce a great amount of oxygen within the human body. Hence, this might be fatal especially when oxygen enters the bloodstream. Overdosing can cause various side effects such as stroke and ulcers.
When Should Hydrogen Peroxide be Used?
Despite being potentially hazardous when used in greater-than-necessary quantities, it is not all doom and gloom. Hydrogen Peroxide is effective in the removal of the odor. Several well water sources tend to exhibit smells characteristic of rotten eggs. Rain harvested water might attract debris and plans, hence developing septic conditions, hence requiring disinfection. This often indicates the existence of hydrogen sulfide in the water. When used in such instances, Hydrogen Peroxide not only helps eliminate the compounds but also leaves the water odorless. In most cases, sulfide is often a byproduct of the action of certain types of bacteria. In addition to sulfur, some of the bacteria also tend to produce iron, an element that might equally be unwanted in the water.
Despite Hydrogen Peroxide being effective against such bacteria, scanty scientific data is available on its effectiveness on other more common microbes such as E Coli. Hence, the process can be supplemented by chlorination or UV treatment. While all treated water is often safe for immediate consumption, a delay in use or the prospect of storage for later use often means that reinfection might occur.
The sulfide can lead to various challenges. Among the problems caused by hydrogen sulfide is corrosion of the piping apparatus. In the home setting, Hydrogen sulfide might affect the home appliances by tarnishing their appearances.
Final Take
Hydrogen Peroxide when used in the correct/low concentration, is generally harmless. The oxygen that is subsequently produced can be easily burped out. Complications, if any, can feature mild stomach discomfort to nausea. More serious side effects can occur with high dosage. Hence, the use should be avoided without sufficient expertise on the subject. When the water to be treated is characterized by a high pH, chlorine does not effectively do the job. The water may be first treated with Alum to remove the turbidity. Chlorine may be added as the main ingredient for disinfection purposes after being treated with a low Hydrogen Peroxide dosage.
Conclusion
While Hydrogen Peroxide has its merits when used to treat water, it might not offer the best possible solution when used at the household level. This is because many potentially harmful effects might result from overdosing. If only Hydrogen peroxide is available for the treatment of water, then it should be used sparingly and in low quantity. The use of hydrogen peroxide disinfected water can be used even in the household for disinfecting surfaces and for other similar activities.