Toxic Alert: Newly Discovered Chemical in Drinking Water Found in Many Homes!
A recent study has revealed that about one-third of U.S. residents are receiving tap water containing a newly identified chemical byproduct.
This substance, known as “chloronitramide anion,” has raised concerns among scientists about its potential toxicity, even though it has been in the water supply for decades without detection.
The chemical forms when chloramine, a disinfectant used in many municipal water systems, breaks down over time. Chloramine itself is a combination of chlorine and ammonia, commonly used to eliminate bacteria and viruses in drinking water.
Researchers discovered the existence of chloronitramide anion nearly 40 years ago, but advanced techniques only recently allowed scientists to analyze and identify its structure.
Although the study, published in Science, doesn’t confirm that the substance is harmful, scientists believe it warrants further investigation.
Its structural similarities to other known toxic chemicals make it a subject of interest. Given its widespread use across U.S. water supplies, researchers are calling for immediate studies to determine its potential health impacts.
David Wahman, an environmental engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency and one of the study’s authors, stated that the chemical was found in all samples tested.
The team examined 40 water samples from 10 chlorinated drinking water systems across seven states, all of which contained chloronitramide anion. He noted that the chemical is likely present in all drinking water treated with chloramine, emphasizing its potential reach.
The widespread presence of this chemical raises new concerns about the long-term safety of water disinfection methods.
Chloramine, used in water treatment for over a century, has become a preferred disinfectant because it produces fewer byproducts than chlorine.
Some chlorine byproducts are linked to bladder cancer and are regulated by the EPA, pushing many utilities to adopt chloramine instead. However, this discovery questions whether chloramine-treated water is truly safer.
David Reckhow, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explained that small and reactive molecules like chloronitramide anion could penetrate biological systems, potentially posing health risks. While no direct evidence links the chemical to adverse effects, its properties justify a closer look, he said.
The study also explored methods for producing high concentrations of the chemical in laboratories, enabling scientists to conduct further tests on its toxicity.
Julian Fairey, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at the University of Arkansas, stressed that understanding the chemical’s toxicological relevance is a necessary next step.
Fairey acknowledged that some prior research hints at a connection between disinfected water and increased cancer rates, though no direct link to this chemical has been established.
Scientists estimate it could take years, if not decades, to determine whether chloronitramide anion poses a health risk. If regulatory measures are deemed necessary, they will take even longer.
In the meantime, experts recommend water utilities reduce exposure to potentially harmful byproducts wherever possible. Reckhow emphasized the importance of acting on incomplete information, given the uncertainties surrounding chemical exposure risks.
Some researchers also advocate for greater transparency in water treatment practices. Many water utilities already disclose online whether they use chlorine or chloramine in their treatment processes.
Homeowners can take additional steps, such as using activated carbon filters in purification devices, to remove some disinfectant byproducts, though more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
The discovery highlights the broader issue of chemical byproducts in drinking water. Hundreds of such substances have been identified, though most occur in lower concentrations or less frequently than chloronitramide anion.
David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, stressed that this finding challenges the safety assumptions of chloramine as a disinfectant.
Ultimately, any method of disinfecting drinking water involves trade-offs. While processes like chlorination and chloramination protect against deadly waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, they can introduce new risks, including potential links to cancer and miscarriages.
Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, explained that these risks must be weighed carefully to ensure public safety.
For now, scientists continue their efforts to understand the implications of chloronitramide anion.
While definitive answers remain years away, the study underscores the need for ongoing research and vigilance in managing the delicate balance between water safety and public health.
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