Why are Chloramines a Problem?

WHY ARE CHLORAMINES A PROBLEM?

Highly Toxic By-products –

In recent studies funded and conducted by the EPA, scientists have discovered many by-products of chloramines that are cytotoxic (damages cells) and genotoxic (damages DNA). These byproducts are mutagens and have the potential to cause cancer and birth defects. Some of the known by-products are Iodo-acetic Acid, Hydrazine, DXAA (di-haloacetic acid) and N-Nitrosamines (the most harmful being NDMA). These by-products are created in the water purification process and in the distribution system. See more under Studies.

While the EPA has studied these by-products and determined them to be ‘probable human carcinogens”, they are only in the beginning stages of regulating them. (See EPA on main menu)

Health Concerns – Respiratory and skin

In addition to the long term effects of the by-products discussed above, hundreds of people in other areas of the country in chloramine service areas are reporting respiratory and skin problems related to the use of chloraminated water.

When chloramine undergoes heat or pH changes, it changes to di and tri-chloramines. Tri-chloramine is a potent respiratory irritant. People are reporting difficulty breathing during and after showering and rashes, both of which resolve when they leave their water source for a week or two and which return upon return to the water source. CDC is currently investigating the reported cases in Vermont. NO STUDIES have been funded or conducted  on the dermal health effects of chloramines before implementing its use. Studies do exist on the respiratory effect of chloramine and “swimmers asthma” that suggest that chloramine vapor causes respiratory problems including asthma. (See respiratory studies and other sites on the main menu for more information on this)

Studies that indicate that chloraminated water may adversely react with certain prescription medications. (See Studies for more information.)

Chloramine Leaches Lead from Pipes

Chloramine is a corrosive causing lead to leach out of lead, brass and copper pipes. Lead ingestion is poisonous especially to children and pregnant women. Studies have connected lead poisoning to developmental delays in children, autism and ADD. Pediatricians report that NO amount of lead is safe for children. When combined with Fluoride, the corrosion level increases. See Studies for more information.

Because chloramines is highly corrosive, it also disintegrates rubber and elastomer pipe fittings in pipe lines, faucets, hot water heaters, shower heads, sprinklers, water meters, bathroom toilets, ice makers, fire suppression systems. See Studies for more information. It is reported that a rubber fitting that has a life-expectancy of 5 to 6 years with chlorine has a 6 month life expectancy with chloramines.

Increasing heat, increases corrosiveness, therefore your hot water heater, dishwasher, spa are all highly subject to this corrosion

Fish kills and the environment

Fish Kills
Chloramine kills fish. People with aquariums and ponds will have to treat their water differently to safe guard their fish.

 However: nothing can be done to safe guard our creeks and streams if there is a water main break that flows into the Yellow Breeches or Conodoguinet. Since the chloramine does not dissipate like chorine does, it will go into the creeks at full strength and result in a massive fish kill.

At least five major fish kills resulting from main breaks in chloraminated service areas have been documented.  In McLean, Virginia, the spill killed everything down to the earthworms.

The Yellow Breeches is nationally known for fly-fishing and a source of tourist revenue for this area of the state.  A major fish kill would be devastating to the environment and the local economy.

Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River Basin

The Chesapeake Bay is in trouble.  High levels of phosphorous, zinc and nitrates are damaging the delicate ecosystem that exists in the Bay and in the Susquehanna River Basin.  Water treated in the waste water treatment facilities flows into these watersheds.  DEP is already concerned about these areas and has mandated that  these facilities reduce the levels of phosphorous, zinc and nitrates entering the watersheds. 

HOWEVER, by authorizing the use of chloramines, DEP is effectively ADDING to the zinc, phosphorous and nitrate loads flowing into these watersheds.  PAWC is putting zinc orthophosphate into the water system to reduce the leaching of lead caused by chloramines which will add to the zinc and phosphorous load on the watersheds.  Nitrates will also be increased as organics interact with chloramines in the distribution lines.

National Security Concerns

Chloramine does not react the same as chlorine to contaminants. A drop in chlorine levels signals a water facility that there is a contaminant in the water. Chloramine will not react the same way and will not provide that critical early alert necessary for detection and containment. Manufacturers of terrorist detection systems have recommended that chloramines NOT be used as a disinfection in the water systems for this reason and have more strenuously recommended that they not be used in service areas where there are military bases as they are likely targets for terrorist activity. PAWC service area includes 2 military bases. See Studies.

Can House Filters Or Faucet Filters Keep Chloramine and the Byproducts Out of Your Water?

We are still talking to filtration companies. Most of them are trying to figure this out as well as they had no more notice than the rest of us and have been flooded with calls. From what we know at this point, the filtration companies are saying that they do not know of a filter that will be certain to keep the chloramines out. They have indicated that the faucet filters will NOT work.  More importantly, none of these companies have indicated that their filters can keep the highly toxic byproducts out of your drinking water.

Look closely at any filter company that tells you they can take out chloramines. First, they have to be so certified by NSF, a national certification company.  Secondly, even the certified filters say they can “reduce”, not eliminate, the chloramines. And Third, many of the filter companies we spoke to didn’t even know that the byproducts of choramine were let alone whether they could effectively filter them out.  One company has been very helpful and will continue to research these issues for us.

The newest filter product entering the market, nano-filtration, shows promise with regard to the byproducts but cannot remove the chloramines.