Study finds newly discovered chemical in drinking water may be harmful

A study has found that tap water in about a third of U.S. homes contains a newly identified chemical byproduct called chloronitramide anion, which is produced when water is treated with chloramine. Scientists are concerned about the potential toxicity of this byproduct due to its similarities to other harmful chemicals. Despite the widespread presence of chloronitramide anion in drinking water, its safety remains unknown as it has never been studied before. Researchers are working to determine whether this compound poses a health risk, but any conclusions are likely many years away. The study’s authors hope their findings will spur further research and ultimately lead to potential regulations. Chloramine is used for disinfection in water treatment plants to kill viruses and bacteria, but concerns about its byproducts have prompted some water providers to switch from chlorine to chloramine. The ultimate goal is to minimize people’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in drinking water, but finding a balance between disinfection and health risks remains a challenge. Active carbon filters may help remove disinfectant byproducts from water, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Ultimately, ongoing research is needed to determine the safety of chloronitramide anion and other disinfection byproducts in drinking water.

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