Chloramine and Your Health

In the United States, Canada, and other first-world countries, we are fortunate to have national and state regulations enacted to protect our public water supplies. These agencies, along with your local water provider, are tasked with delivering to the public clean, disinfected water in order to prevent the spread of disease.  The most common disinfectants used today are chlorine and chloramine.  While these disinfectants are entirely necessary, even when used within federal regulation guidelines, there still are serious health issues associated with routinely ingesting such substances. 

Chlorine is highly effective for the disinfection of water.  However, challenges occur in the disinfection process because chlorine can react with organic materials in the water, especially from surface water sources.  This results in what is called “disinfection byproducts,” and these byproducts, such as Trihalomethanes (TTHM), have been identified as #carcinogens and can lead to serious illness. 

Some water supply companies have made the switch from #chlorine to chloramine.  Chloramine (also referred to as monochloramine) is a combination of chlorine and ammonia. While chloramine is less likely to produce disinfection byproducts, it is a less effective disinfectant than chlorine.  It can also change the chemical properties of water, which can foster corrosion and cause pipes to leach lead and copper into the water.

Both chlorine and #chloramine are toxic to fish, aquatic animals, reptiles, and amphibians.  While chlorine may dissipate from water if left to sit out for a few days, chloramine cannot be removed in this manner.  Chloramine cannot be removed by either boiling or by the #distillation process. In addition, chloramine vapors and disinfection byproducts can accumulate in indoor air.  The only effective way of removing these disinfectants from your water is through point-of-use filtration with a high quality carbon filter.

The Multipure family of water filtration systems reduces chlorine and chloramine to the lowest possible levels, and these reductions are tested and certified according to NSF/ANSI Standards.  While many water filters on the market make claims as to the reduction of disinfection chemicals and by-products, many are not effective in reducing chloramine. You must insist on seeing #NSF testing and certification of these claims.  #Multipure drinking water systems lead the industry in contaminant reduction, and this includes the harsh chemicals used to disinfect your water.