Chloramine as a Water Disinfectant

A lot of research and studies had been attempted on the ill effects of chloramines when used as a disinfectant. Still, there are no definite rulings to date whether it’s completely safe or not.
The EPA notes: “Chloramines have been used by water utilities for almost 90 years, and their use is closely regulated. More than one in five Americans uses drinking water treated with chloramines. Water that contains chloramines and meets EPA regulatory standards is safe to use for drinking, cooking, bathing and other household uses.”
This is in response to complaints to water companies who switched from chlorine to chloramines. Health issues ranges from respiratory, digestive to skin problems. “Experts” still rule that these are isolated cases and more likely attributed to allergic reactions on few individuals but many municipal water customers disagree.
More and more municipal systems are using chloramines. It is believed that chloramine is more stable than chlorine, therefore more likely to reach your house without disipating. However is is not as effictive at killing bacteria as is chlorine.
Others are complaining about the fact that the switch to a chloramine disinfectant should have been made public the moment it was put to use. Only when complications started to happen did they realize about the switch.
For many years the usual disinfectant used was chlorine. Based on studies conducted, it was observed that while chlorine does not react with pure water to have any negative health effects, organics present in the water prior to treatment, react with chlorine creating byproducts (THMs) which are carcinogenic. Though a rare event according to experts, it was the main reason for them to consider chloramines instead.
Few water filters are effective at removing chloramines. It is up to consumers to do something about it, especially for those who are known to have a reaction to this chemical. If a water filter is compliant with the NSF Standard 42 for the removal of Chlorine, that does not mean it will be effective for Chloramine reduction. The challenge is choosing the one that is tested and certified according to NSF Standard 42 specifically for the reduction of Chloramine.
These days water contaminants are the kind you can’t see – toxic chemicals causing cancer, birth defects, infertility, and more. I’m relieved to know I’m now protecting my family’s health because we use state-of-the-art water filtration by Selecto Inc., made right here in the USA. Selecto has been innovating for commercial customers for 25 years. Now these superior filtration systems are available for home and office use through ezclearwater!
Donna Hoffman is the owner of http://www.ezClearwater.com , provider of the highest quality, earth-friendly water purification products for home, office, pool and spa. Our goal is to share products that are “Good to You and Mother Earth Too.”
November 23, 2009 at 8:03 am Comments (0)