Let's Talk About Chlorine

Let’s talk about Chlorine

By Law, all municipalities disinfect drinking water before it is distributed to our homes.

Disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) can be harmful to humans. DBPs are formed when disinfectants, such as chlorine, react with organic matter in the water, and can include compounds such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and halo acetic acids (HAAs). Exposure to high levels of DBPs over a long period of time has been linked to various health problems. Research has shown that certain types of DBPs, such as high levels of bromate have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, while chlorite and chlorate can cause anemia and other health problems in infants. An important note to keep in mind is that the levels of DBPs in municipal tap water are typically well below the legal limits established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. However, individuals who are concerned about DBP exposure may wish to take steps such as using a water filter that is certified to remove DBPs. 

The Problem with Chlorine

Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant in municipal water systems, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Although the EPA doesn’t classify chlorine as a contaminant, it can still cause problems. Chlorine exposure can lead to dry skin, brittle hair, and even harmful vapor inhalation. The good news? Activated carbon block filters are the gold standard for removing chlorine, giving you fresher, safer water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

• Total Trihalomethanes- A category made up of still uncounted chemicals, assumed to number in the thousands, that are formed when water containing organic matter (i. e., virtually all water) is treated with chlorine. The maximum allowable level for trihalomethanes, which are suspected cancer causers and are present in virtually all chlorinated tap water, is only 1/10 of one part per million.

• Haloacetic acids (HAAs)- HAAs are commonly found in drinking water supplies that have been treated with chlorine or other disinfectants. HAAs are formed when chlorine and other disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in the water such as humic and fulvic acids, decaying vegetation and other organics that are found in water. The reaction produces a variety of intermediate compounds, which can then react further to form the final HAA compounds.

  
  

  There are several different types of HAAs, including monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid. The exact types and concentrations of HAAs found in water depend on a variety of factors, including the source of the water, the level of organic matter present, and the type and concentration of disinfectant used.

  
  

  HAAs are a concern because they have been linked to a variety of health problems, including an increased risk of cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for HAAs in drinking water of 60 micrograms per liter (µg/L) to help protect public health.

Ready to experience the benefits of cleaner, safer water? Don’t wait! your family deserves the best!