Chlorine: Looking at Tradeoffs

Overview:
Many of the risks we take are "balanced" by the benefits they offer.  Chlorine, used in many ways around the world, is an example of a substance whose use presents potential benefits and risks to human health and the environment.  This activity helps students learn about chlorine and gives them an opportunity to consider the tradeoffs associated with a variety of its uses.

Student Pages:
Introduction to Chlorine
DDT: An Organochlorine Pesticide
Chlorinated Solvents
Use of Chlorine as a Drinking Water Disinfectant
Chlorine and Ozone - CFCs

Earth & Sky Radio Correlations
This activity can be supplemented with related Earth & Sky radio shows that you can download for use in your classroom. Learn about the PLT and Earth & Sky Initiative.

Related Earth & Sky Shows:
- Peter Gleick Warns That World Faces a Water Crises (2009) 
- Ashok Gadgil’s Inexpensive Inventions Address Big Problems of World’s Poor (2009)