By Abbas Nazil
Scientists have recently identified a potentially concerning chemical in tap water, raising questions about the safety of this essential resource.
Tap water, a vital part of daily life, often goes unnoticed in its complexity.
However, a new study has uncovered an unidentified chemical byproduct that could be present in the tap water of roughly one-third of U.S. households.
While the potential harm of this chemical remains unconfirmed, researchers are concerned due to its molecular properties, which resemble those of other toxic substances.
The compound, named “chloronitramide anion,” originates from chloramine, a chemical commonly used to treat water and ensure its safety for consumption. This substance is a charged particle composed of chlorine and nitramide parts, which enables it to interact uniquely with other molecules.
Chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, is known for its ability to kill viruses and bacteria in water treatment systems and for its longevity, compared to plain chlorine.
However, when chloramine breaks down, it produces the chloronitramide anion.
According to David Wahman, a research environmental engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and one of the study’s authors, the compound shows similarities to other known toxic molecules.
“We looked for it in 40 samples in 10 U.S. chlorinated drinking water systems located in seven states. We did find it in all the samples,” Wahman confirmed.
Chloramine has been used for nearly a century as a reliable method to keep water free from pathogens, especially in systems where water may remain in pipes for days after leaving treatment plants.
It has been favored over chlorine, which produces byproducts linked to bladder cancer. However, the discovery of this new compound raises fresh concerns about water disinfection processes.
David Reckhow, a research professor in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the significance of the finding.
He noted the small size and reactivity of the molecule as potential factors that could allow it to penetrate biological systems and cells.
Lead author Julian Fairey, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas, highlighted the need for thorough toxicological studies to determine the compound’s relevance to human health.
Past studies have suggested a possible link between disinfected drinking water and increased cancer rates. However, the connection between these findings and the newly identified chloronitramide anion remains unexplored.
Understanding its toxicity and establishing regulatory measures will likely require extensive research spanning a decade or more, according to Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.
In the meantime, Reckhow suggests that water utilities take precautionary steps to minimize exposure while working with incomplete data.
This discovery has also led experts to question whether chloramine is indeed a safer option than chlorine for water disinfection.
David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, argued that the study highlights the need for closer scrutiny of all disinfection byproducts, with this compound warranting particular attention.
Disinfection of drinking water is critical to preventing diseases such as cholera and typhoid, but it is not without risks. Research indicates that some byproducts of these processes may increase the risk of cancer, miscarriage, or low birth-weight babies.
Nonetheless, these methods are essential for neutralizing bacterial and viral threats.
Fortunately, many U.S. water utilities provide information online about whether their water is treated with chlorine or chloramine. Activated carbon filters, often used in home water purification devices, may help remove disinfectant byproducts, although further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
As this investigation continues, it is a reminder that even something as simple as turning on a faucet involves unseen processes and actors, working silently to ensure water safety.
