Table of Contents
- Understanding Chloramines
- Health Concerns and Risks
- Chloramines Removal Techniques
- Choosing the Right Chloramine Filter
- Conclusion
Chloramine
Chloramine is the chemical compound used to treat untreated water to destroy pathogenic microbes and make it drinkable for secondary disinfection. Chloramines also address secondary aesthetic concerns from excess soluble iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide among others. Chloramines are formed when ammonia is added to chlorine for the water treatment process. Chloramines commonly give longer-lasting disinfection to the drinking water until it reaches consumers via plumbing pipes. Chloramines use for water disinfectants is well established; however, it has harmful side effects linger in the distribution and plumbing systems just as well as its disinfection properties.
Health Concerns and Risks
Many studies and research indicate that a small amount of Chloramine in drinking water or food preparation does not cause harmful or life-threatening health concerns but instead helps minimize waterborne disease outbreaks. Also, because chloramines are much more persistent than chlorine, less of it needs to be added to the water, in theory thereby reducing the carcinogenic potential.These studies have observed that Chloramine levels of below 50 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in drinking water have no harmful health effects.
However, prolonged use may cause some significant health issues, including possibly elevated risks of bladder colon, and stomach cancers. In some cases, it shows adverse effects on reproduction, such as sudden surges in miscarriages, fetal anomalies, and congenital disabilities. Some more common health issues have been observed with Chloramine treatment in drinking water such as gastrointestinal distress: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
Additionally, chloramines are known to be more aggressive than chlorine leading to leaks at plumbing joints, and faster erosion of gasket seals particularly when municipalities fail to shift the pH balance to mildly alkaline. It was this error that led to the grave outcome experienced in Flint, MI when the municipality switched to chloramines and failed to pH balance the water.
Food Allergies
In one published study, higher levels of dichlorophenols were found in subjects bodies who reported food allergies, including lack of sensitivity, urticaria, and angioneurotic edema. However, more research on the subject is necessary as the above study had a small sample size.
Congenital Abnormalities
Chloramine drinking water has shown harmful teratogenic effects on human embryos or fetuses during pregnancy, resulting in congenital disabilities and malformed newborns. According to a published study, among 141,077 births, 2,608 (1.8%) had congenital disabilities and malformations. Pregnant women who were exposed to trihalomethanes in Chlorinated water or Chloraminated drinking water were more likely to exhibit one of three different congenital disabilities: cleft palates, lack of brain development, and ventricular septal defects (holes in the heart) in their newborns.
Bladder and Rectal Cancer
Drinking water with chlorination by-products was found to be responsible for increased cancer incidence, including bladder cancer and rectal. According to the research, 5,000 cases of bladder cancer and 8,000 cases of rectal cancer per year in the United States have been observed due to the chlorination of drinking water. To be fair, the number of deaths due to drinking untreated water is vastly greater, as seen in many developing countries lacking modern public sanitation systems.
Chloramines Removal Techniques
Chloramines presents challenges in the form of some health risks and taste issues, even as it solves other problems, presenting the end user with the opportunity to remove it from their drinking and shower water. Here are some techniques that help remove Chloramines from drinking, cooking and bath water. These techniques are essential to manage the dual concerns of safety and consumer satisfaction and give simple yet impactful ways to ensure the purity and palatability of drinking water.
Catalytic Carbon Filtration
Catalytic carbon is an alternative form (or variation) of activated carbon filters to remove Chloramines from drinking water. Catalytic carbon breaks Chloramines into its constituent chlorine and ammonia and then removes both from the product drinking water. Ordinary activated carbon will similarly break the chloramines into its constituent components - chlorine and ammonia, but only removes most of the chlorine and some of the ammonia, allowing some of the ammonia to pass into the product drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration
Reverse Osmosis, or RO filtration is one of the best ways to remove chloramines from drinking water when used in conjunction with a catalytic carbon prefilter.. Check out the Home Master® Reverse Osmosis Systems with a catalytic carbon prefilter toget highly pure and refreshing water right on tap.
Choosing the Right Whole House Chloramine Filter
Choosing the right whole house Chloramine filter is crucial for ensuring de-chloraminatedand great-tasting water throughout the home. Here are some tips one should consider when choosing the filter, including filtration efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and environmental impact. Using this information, a customer can make an informed decision about a healthier home environment.
- Check for the Chloramine removal and filtration capability of the filter
- Consider the component quality and performance
- Look for the post-sale services and part availability
- Check the installation options and service charges
- Consider the quality, durability, and customer reviews
If you still need clarification, then check out this water filter buying guide designed by Perfect Water Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water filtration solutions. They can also be contacted for on-call assistance or expert opinion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of Chloramine filters in ensuring safe drinking water cannot be overstated. Throughout this blog, we have uncovered the significance of addressing the possible health risks associated with Chloramines in the drinking water supply. Chloramine filters effectively mitigate these health risks, offering the dependable means to remove Chloramines.
Choosing the right Chloramine filter requires careful consideration of various factors, including filtration efficiency, cost-effectiveness, maintenance requirements, and environmental sustainability. One must prioritize their specific needs and circumstances when making this critical decision. By investing in an efficient Chloramine filter that aligns with their preferences and requirements, individuals can take a proactive step towards improving the safety and quality of their drinking water.
It is crucial to stay informed about water treatment options and filtration technologies and continuously monitor and evaluate water sources' quality. Doing so can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future where safe and clean drinking water is accessible to all. Ultimately, to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities, Chloramine filters play a pivotal role, providing an effective means to enjoy safe and palatable water.