Chlorine Byproduct Found in Drinking Water: A Health Concern? #

A newly identified chemical byproduct, known as chloronitramide anion, derives from chloramine, a chemical used by many water treatment plants to purify drinking water. Approximately 113 million people in the U.S. are exposed to this compound through their tap water. While its potential to harm human health remains unconfirmed, chloronitramide shares properties with other toxic molecules regulated due to health risks.

In the early 1900s, public water systems began using chlorine to eliminate deadly germs like cholera and typhoid. This measure resolved severe public health issues but introduced new health challenges, as prolonged consumption of chlorinated water was linked to increased risks of colon and bladder cancers. For pregnant women, there were also associations with miscarriages and births of babies with low birth weights.

Although safe at low levels, chlorine can create toxic byproducts when interacting with certain natural water elements. To mitigate this, water systems now monitor and limit these byproducts’ presence. Some systems switched to using chloramine, a more stable and longer-lasting alternative to chlorine, as it appeared to produce fewer hazardous byproducts.

However, chloramine has also shown to create byproducts, some of which were mysterious for years. Researchers recently identified one such compound as chloronitramide anion, appearing in U.S. water systems using chloramine but not in regions with different treatments. Its toxicity remains unknown, but its similarity to other toxic molecules necessitates further research to understand its implications.

“There’s this outstanding mystery compound in the literature that’s always been out there,” one expert explained, underscoring long-standing scientific curiosity about this byproduct. The compound was identified using ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, innovative techniques in environmental chemistry. Beyond identifying chloronitramide anion, understanding its potential health impact requires additional investigation.

Experts note chloramines have introduced new disinfection byproducts and express caution about health effects, lacking extensive toxicological studies compared to chlorine byproducts. Investigating such effects could be costly, potentially necessitating federal involvement due to the extensive resources required.

For consumers concerned about tap water safety, using simple carbon-based filters might aid in reducing exposure. “I think a Brita filter or something like that is probably logical,” an expert suggested, despite uncertainty about the filter’s effectiveness with this compound.