Iodine vs. Chlorine Water Purification

Chlorine vs. Iodine for Water Treatment

How Does Iodine Purify Water?

Iodine is a strong oxidant that can quickly kill microorganisms in water. While iodine itself would be harmful to our digestive system, our stomachs quickly convert it into iodide, which doesn’t carry the same disinfecting properties. 

How Does Chlorine Purify Water?

Chlorine water purification tablets use sodium dichloroisocyanurate, also known as NaDCC, a disinfectant that is recognized as safe by major health organizations. When Aquatabs are dropped into water, they release hypochlorous acid, which disinfects the water by killing harmful microorganisms.

So Which One Is Better?

Both chlorine and iodine tablets for water are effective in killing at least 99.99% bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as Giardia cysts. If left untreated, these microorganisms can cause diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and other harmful diseases. Both are also highly portable, fast-acting, and affordable.

However, chlorine tablets have several advantages over iodine. The first difference is taste. Chlorine tablets have a minor effect on the taste of your water, while iodine purification tablets can leave behind a harsh chemical aftertaste.

The much bigger issue with iodine tablets is the effect they can have on your health. While many people won’t experience negative health effects from iodine tablets after short-term use, some people may experience serious issues. People who are pregnant, have thyroid conditions, or are allergic to iodine should not use iodine tablets for water purification. 

About 5–10% of adults over 50 have a mild form of hypothyroidism that could be exacerbated by ingesting excessive amounts of iodine. If there is a potential that you will use water purification tablets for a long period of time, researchers say not to use iodine. In addition, some iodine products can irritate your hands or eyes.

For these and other reasons, iodine water purification tablets were banned in the European Union. It is also why chlorine tablets are the option of choice for international aid agencies, governments, global corporations, and private citizens.

Aquatabs: Chlorine Tablets for Drinking Water

Why Choose Aquatabs?

Aquatabs are the most popular water purification tablets available, with more than one billion tablets sold every year. They are a safe, effective, and fast-acting choice for purifying water. They are independently tested and have been certified by, approved by, or meet the standards of the:

• World Health Organization
• Environmental Protection Agency
• United Nations Gold Standard for the Global Goals
• American National Standards Institute
• International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Who Uses Aquatabs?

Aquatabs are popular with a wide range of companies, organizations, and individuals. They are frequently used by campers, backpackers, and hikers because they eliminate the need to carry additional water or equipment. They are also used by anglers to clean buckets, jerrycans, and freshwater tanks on boats.

People traveling internationally like to take a package of Aquatabs with them to make sure they always have easy access to clean water that won’t clash with their stomach’s microbiome. By having Aquatabs, they don’t need to rely on having access to bottled water to stay hydrated.

Aquatabs are also used to prepare for emergencies. Problems such as natural disasters, boil water alerts, or civil unrest can all leave you without clean drinking water for several days. Experts also estimate there will be a rise in cyberattacks on infrastructure such as water treatment plants over the next several years.