Mysterious Chemical Found in Tap Water: What You Need to Know.

All Things USA

22 Nov, 2024

A mysterious chemical found in tap water that could have a serious effect on public health, recent research suggests. Despite the fact that the chemical is not harmful, scientists are still conducting research on it. However, this discovery could potentially prevent complications during the proper treatment of water, and the potential side effects could serve as a warning sign.
So, let's get into the details of this discovery and how it will impact you and your family.

What's this mysterious chemical found in tap water?

Chloronitramide anion (the chemical structure) is a byproduct from the water treatment process that uses chloramine, which is produced by mixing chlorine and ammonia to disinfect drinking water. Chloramine is commonly used to eliminate bacteria and viruses in municipal water systems, thereby making our drinking water safe from harmful microorganisms.
Unfortunately, as the chloramine performs its function, it reacts with natural components in water, producing byproducts. Researchers have been reading this unknown substance in treated water for more than 40 years without being able to identify it. However, using sophisticated testing methods, scientists have now identified this elusive substance as the chloronitramide anion.

Chloramine is suspected to be in nearly all U.S. drinking water systems that use chloramine, impacting perhaps 113 million Americans.

The 40-Year Mystery Solved

It was no simple task to identify the mysterious chemical that we found in tap water. For decades, scientists knew that such a thing existed, but they had no idea what the chemical structure of it was. After 15 years, researchers led by University of Arkansas scientists and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put all the pieces together.

They used an advanced technique—ion chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry. The higher-end tools enabled the scientists to isolate and examine the compound, even under the difficult high-salinity conditions found in water samples.

They found that the chloronitramide anion is a decomposition product of chloramine. The study further identified this anion in U.S. water systems after chloramine treatment, but not in Switzerland due to different treatment methods.

Is this mysterious chemical found in tap water harmful?

However, the question remains: Is the chloronitramide anion deadly? Unfortunately, however, there is no definitive answer yet. Scientists have argued that its molecular structure is very similar to other well-known, EPA-regulated toxic compounds. But no one seems to have made the connection between it and health problems since its toxicology has never been studied.

Caution is well warranted, however, based on history. Chlorine, another water disinfectant that was around decades ago, was found to create byproducts with links to boosted odds for bladder and colon cancers. The same goes for pregnant people drinking chlorinated water who were at risk of miscarriages or having babies with low weight.

Some chemists suggested using chloramine instead of chlorine because it was safer. But now, researchers think that it might also produce unwanted byproducts like anionic chloronitramide. More research is needed to determine if this chemical has an effect on humans, say scientists.

Overall, how safe is our tap water?

Experts said, though, that treated tap water is a far better option than untreated. Chlorine, chloramine, and other disinfectants are critical to eliminating the infectious pathogens that cause cholera and typhoid.

With respect to drinking water, the U.S. remains one of the safest in the world, thanks to regulation and regular monitoring by the EPA and other agencies to ensure safety at zero tolerance for dangerous pathogens. However, scientists believe more work is needed to make sure that every byproduct—including the chloronitramide anion—is characterized sufficiently well for regulation if needed.

What Can You Do About It?

If the discovery of a mysterious chemical found in tap water has you feeling snippy, Grant outlines what you could do to ensure your drinking water is as secure as possible.

Test Your Water

Start with a tap water contaminant test. Look at your water quality report: If you are on public water (approximately 85 percent of Americans are), then your local utility is required to send out an annual report about the quality of your water, often referred to as a consumer confidence report, which will provide a rundown on any contaminants found in the water. Then you will know if what is in your water is chloramine or something more alarming.

Use a water filter.

Individually, scientists have not determined the filterability of the chloronitramide anion, but they suspect activated carbon filters to be potentially efficacious. You find them in Brita pitchers and similar products; they may reduce some chemical byproducts. Select only filters that have received approval from NSF International, which confirms the removal of specific contaminants.

Stay Informed

Get a thorough understanding of research and progress (the EPA or CDC are reliable sources).One of the things you really should be happy about with regard to your water quality.
Be a bit more demanding when it comes to conducting government-led research and regulation to protect the public.

Conclusion

The long-standing mystery of chloronitramide anion, which patiently awaited attention from someone—and crucially, the appropriate technology—also prompts fresh inquiries into the necessity of modifying certain water treatment methods. Simultaneously, there is currently no available evidence suggesting that the class of chemical contaminating tap water is harmful; this further underscores the need for ongoing research and stricter regulation.

For now, as long as municipal treatment systems keep humming along, you should treat water from a tap in the U.S. as safe to drink. If you are still anxious, have your water examined or get a filter for peace of mind.

And this mysterious chemical found in tap water is already in use outside of our lives for decades; research on science and innovation will always tell us how we will never make a mistake with regard to our health, and safe, unprocessed water must always be collectable.