Tap water found to contain a newly-identified toxic chemical

We all know that water is vital for life and our daily routines, and we often take it for granted. Turn the knob above the sink, and water comes out. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, scientists recently identified a potentially undesirable chemical lurking in our precious tap water.

Chemical byproduct in water

A recent study found that this unidentified chemical byproduct could be present in the tap water in approximately one-third of all U.S. homes.

Now, before you put down your glass of water with a shudder, let’s emphasize that scientists are not yet sure whether this byproduct is harmful or not.

However, they are worried that it could be, due to the characteristics of the molecules.

Understanding “chloronitramide anion”

This enigmatic substance, dubbed “chloronitramide anion,” is the offspring of chloramine, a chemical that, ironically, is used to treat water to make it safe for human consumption. It’s a type of charged particle made up of chlorine and nitramide parts.

Think of it like a tiny building block that has an extra negative charge, which makes it react differently compared to neutral molecules.

This special charge allows it to connect with other molecules in unique ways, making it useful for certain chemical reactions.

Chloramine is a concoction of chlorine and ammonia that kills viruses and bacteria in water treatment systems. Unlike plain chlorine, chloramine doesn’t disappear as quickly, so it provides longer-lasting protection.

Chloramine does a great job at disinfecting, and the newly-identified “chloronitramide anion” is produced when chloramine breaks down.

“It has similarity to other toxic molecules,” said David Wahman, one of the study’s authors and a research environmental engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“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.”

Battle against microbes

Chloramine has been trusted for about a hundred years to keep our water free of pathogens. It’s often used to maintain the water that stays in our pipes for several days after leaving a water treatment plant.

In fact, chloramine has become the preferred water warrior because its alternative, chlorine, also produces byproducts — some of which are linked to the incidence of bladder cancer and are patrolled by the EPA.

What lies beneath

David Reckhow, a research professor in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who wasn’t part of the study, thinks the discovery is significant.

His major concern is understanding whether this newfound entity is hazardous.

“It’s a pretty small molecule and it can probably for that reason enter into biological systems and into cells. And it is still a reactive molecule. Those are the kinds of things you worry about,” Reckhow explained.

“We can go about the hard work of trying to figure out what its toxicological relevance is in our water systems,” said Julian Fairey, the lead author and an associate professor at the University of Arkansas.

Link to cancer

While this ongoing investigation creates waves, some past studies have alluded to a connection between drinking disinfected water and higher rates of certain cancers.

However, whether these occurrences have anything to do with this newly-identified compound remains untested.

What happens next?

Drawing conclusions about the toxicity of this compound and establishing regulations based on those findings is more likely to be a marathon than a sprint.

“It’s a lot [of time] – probably a decade of research once a funding source is found,” said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.

In the meantime, water utilities should pay heed to ongoing research and try to limit people’s exposure.

“You do what you can to minimize. You make the best judgment you can on the toxicity and you run with incomplete information,” Reckhow recommends wisely .

Questions arise

This study has also cast doubt on whether, from a health perspective, chloramine is indeed a safer disinfection process than chlorine.

“This study really calls into question whether or not this disinfection process is safer from a health perspective,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that pushes for more scrutiny of chemicals. 

He noted that there are several disinfection byproducts found in water systems but that this one deserves scrutiny. 

Tap water, chemicals, and safety

Any treatment of drinking water involves some level of health risk.

While disinfection processes have largely eradicated waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, research suggests that some byproducts may pose cancer risks and increase the chances of miscarriage or low birth-weight babies.

Yet, these processes are crucial to neutralize real bacterial and viral threats.

Check on water quality and byproducts

Thankfully, many U.S. water utilities provide information on their websites about whether the supplied water is treated with chlorine or chloramine.

There’s also some evidence that activated carbon filters, like those used in home water purification devices or fridge filters, can rid water of disinfectant byproducts. But, more research is needed.

So, the next time you turn on your tap for a glass of water, remember the invisible actors at work. They are unseen, but critical; unnoticed, yet ever-present.

The study is published in the journal Science.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–