What characteristic of UV disinfection eliminates the risks associated with chlorine?

The characteristic of UV disinfection that effectively eliminates the risks associated with chlorine is its use of no residual chlorine. Unlike chlorine disinfection, which can produce harmful residual disinfection by-products and create risks for both human health and the environment, UV disinfection operates without adding chemicals to the water. This method uses ultraviolet light to inactivate harmful microorganisms, providing effective disinfection without leaving behind any harmful residues in the treated water.

This aspect of chlorine-free operation is significant in ensuring that the water is safe for both drinking and environmental discharge, as it mitigates the concerns linked with chemical residuals. Additionally, UV disinfection typically does not affect total dissolved solids in the way chemical disinfection might, further highlighting its safety profile in terms of chemical use. High safety training is essential for all water treatment processes, but it does not specifically address the risks associated with chlorine. Thus, the absence of residual chlorine is a key benefit that distinguishes UV disinfection from traditional chlorine methods.