What you should know about a newly defined chemical byproduct in drinking water

A chemical byproduct found in treated drinking water in the United States that remained a mystery for over 40 years may finally have been identified by scientists.

Authors of the study, published Thursday in the journal Science, named the byproduct chloronitramide anion and believe it is a decomposition byproduct of chloramine, which is used as a disinfectant in tap water.

The study does not suggest that tap water containing this byproduct is unsafe to drink, but it does call for further study. It is estimated that more than 113 million people in the United States drink chlorinated, treated water

“It gives a name to this chemical that has been in our water for many years,” Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a board-certified medical toxicologist and emergency medicine physician who was not involved in the study, told ABC News. “The reality is that no one really knows much about this chloronitramide and its effects on human health, and more research needs to be done.”

“These disinfectant chemicals have provided us with clean drinking water for decades, so there is no reason to be afraid of drinking water based on this study,” she added.

The study authors generally suggest that installing a carbon filter in a sink or stand-alone pitcher could be a good option for those affected.

Here’s what you need to know about chemicals in drinking water.

How is drinking water prepared?

Historically, water systems have used chlorine, a chemical element, as a disinfectant for drinking water to remove harmful bacteria, viruses and certain microorganisms.

However, some studies have found that chlorine can have harmful health effects. Minor exposure may cause irritation to the eyes, skin or respiratory tract. At high concentrations, chest tightness and difficulty breathing may occur.

Chlorine is still the most commonly used disinfectant in drinking water at wastewater treatment plants in the United States, but the Environmental Protection Agency sets legal limits on how much is allowed in drinking water and safe for consumption.

Some water systems instead opted to use chloramine — a chemical compound created by mixing chlorine and ammonia — as a disinfectant. Chloramine forms fewer byproducts than chlorine and is considered more stable, making it useful for water systems that transport water over long distances.

What is this byproduct?

Although chloramine was increasingly used as a disinfectant for drinking water, scientists found that it appeared to produce byproducts. While some were easy to identify, one was more difficult to spot.

“Chloramine itself, when you add a chemical to water, which is itself a different chemical, chemical reactions occur; By-products are created,” said Widmer.

Widmer explained that the byproduct chloronitramide has been present in treated drinking water for years, but its chemical complexity makes it difficult to isolate and identify.

Using a chemical study, the authors were able to break down the compound and determine its composition. It was synthesized in a laboratory and sent for analysis. The byproduct was then detected in 40 drinking water samples from 10 U.S. drinking water systems.

“It’s not that a new chemical has been found, it’s just that it’s there,” Widmer said.

Is tap water drinkable?

The level of chloronitramide anions in drinking water that could pose a health risk is not known.

Widmer said more research is needed on this byproduct and on water supplies in general, but the results show that research and monitoring of our water systems is ongoing and scientists continue to gather new information.

Unless a community has a boil water advisory, there is no evidence that tap water in a community is unsafe to drink, she said.

“We health experts encourage people to drink a certain amount of water every day,” Widmer said. “Water is good for you. We shouldn’t be afraid to drink our water. But it is so important that there is ongoing research and monitoring regarding our water.”

“But based on this study, no one should be afraid to drink water,” she continued. “This hasn’t changed anything about our water. It’s just new information that we need to follow up on.”

Widmer said people can use sink filters or water jug ​​filters if they wish, but he recommended first researching what is being filtered from the water before purchasing.