Does the chlorine in water evaporate when water is boiled?

Question

I only drink distilled or purified water but I ran out and can't get to the store at all today. Just wondering if boiling water will purify it of toxic chemicals like chlorine..Anyone know?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

You'll be using up a lot of energy for no real reason. Please note that purified water is also treated to remove bacteria, so your desire to be free of "toxins" (purification compounds are not toxins, i might add) is not possible with purified water.

As for distilled water - how can you drink water that tastes flat and stale?

Dude - you aversion to regular old ground water, with or without the added safety, is a bit over the edge - obsessive at very least.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Ya your right you know! It is an obsession. One that i will keep. It's better than drugs-LOL!! Thx and have a great day =]

Answer 2

Chlorine in water is not harmful to you. But if you are fussy boiling will drive it off. Boiled water tastes flat because you also drive off other dissolved gasses. Just leaving it to stand for a couple of hours will take away the chlorine taste and it will taste fresher.

Answer 3

Tap water is fine and won't hurt you. And there is a big difference between Chloride gas and Chlorine ions. The ions are fine and won't boil out. If you actually could boil out the gas you would actually release a toxin into the air you are breathing. Boiling only works for killing viruses and bacteria and to reiterate, tap water is just fine for you.

Answer 4

The "Chlorine" in water is not chlorine gas, is hypochlorous ion, ClO-. It is added to water to kill bacteria, so it is not a "toxic chemical" in small amounts, it is rather beneficial, since it hampers the growth of bacteria that will actually cause disease.
Boiling water is always a good idea at any rate, since it does kill some of the bacteria present in water, so if you boil the water, you are killing bacteria, not evaporating any chlorine, since there is none to start with in water.

Source(s):

Me (University Chem Professor)