Are you drinking poisonous water? Study reveals new chemical that has been present in water for nearly a century

A new study examined the drinking habits of one-third of US residents and discovered a new chemical in it. Most residents in the US get tap water, and it is possible that their water may be poisonous. Scientists have discovered the presence of a newly identified substance called chloronitramide ion.

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Chloronitramide ion is a byproduct of water treated with chloramine – a chemical formed by mixing chlorine and ammonia. Chloramine is used to kill bacteria and viruses that may be present in public water distribution systems.

The study said that while the presence of the byproduct was discovered 40 years ago, technological improvements led to it taking so long to identify the chemical.

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Is the chemical poisonous?

Although scientists are unsure about the toxicity of the chemical, it is worrisome because the chloronitramide ion is similar to other chemicals that are toxic in nature. “It has a lot of similarity to other toxic molecules,” said David Wahman, one of the study’s authors and a research environmental engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency. We looked for it in 40 samples from 10 US chlorinated drinking water systems located in seven states. We found it in all the samples.

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It’s a topic of concern

According to the study, about 113 million US residents have access to tap water and consume it daily. Chemicals used to disinfect water have been present in water for almost a century. The chlornitramide ion forms over time as chloramine decays. It is naturally found in every drinking water that is treated using chloramine.

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“We don’t know the toxicity, but this study has now enabled us to do that work,” said Julian Fairey, lead author and associate professor at the University of Arkansas. Now, we can do the hard work of finding out what its toxicological relevance is in our water systems.” However, he added that some previous studies have linked disinfected drinking water to the increased risk of certain cancers.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.