evidence: A video published by the YouTube channel "I AM Awakened" at the end of December 2023 questioned a spate of illnesses in China and New York, claiming that this was caused by chlorine and benzene in the food and water. The video also added that the rise in illness couldn’t be airborne, as people could only be sick due to contaminants in food and water. [...] The video highlighted chlorine gas and benzene in food and drink as the culprits behind the respiratory illness surge. Again, this is false as the evidence has singled out viruses and bacteria as the cause. Moreover, while chlorine compounds and benzene can occur in food and drink, there’s no evidence that the amounts they are present in are harmful. [...] While chlorine and benzene can occur in food and drink, they aren’t the cause of the respiratory illness surge. Both chlorine and benzene are regulated chemicals in food and drink. Chlorine-containing compounds are common antimicrobial agents used in the food industry to kill harmful bacteria and improve the safety of food products. Regulatory agencies have established guidelines for the use of such compounds in order to maximize their benefits while minimizing their risks.