Chloramine is the result of mixing chlorine with ammonia and is fast becoming a familiar substance in our water. It is being used in place of chlorine to disinfect city water in over 20% of United States municipal water treatment facilities (and the number is growing).
Here is what you must know about chloramine and the problems associated with it:
In addition, a study conducted by the University of Illinois in 2004 demonstrates that a by-product of the chloramination of drinking water known as iodoacids (eye-o-doe-acids) may be the most toxic ever found in drinking water. The concern is the genetic damage they can cause in mammals (including humans) that drink chloraminated water, but also the fact that these dangerous chemicals are being released back into the environment where fish, wildlife, and the food chain can be harmed.
Like chlorine, chloramine is designed to kill pathogenic organisms by penetrating their cell walls and membranes and disrupting their metabolism. Chloramines are, however, much slower to react (i.e. not as effective), and unlike chlorine they do not evaporate from water, nor are they removed by typical Whole House Water Treatment techniques. The only resolution is 1. move somewhere else and get on a well or 2. get an effective filter made specifically for removing chloramine from your drinking and showering water, such as the Environmental Water Systems EWS Chloramine Removal Series or CWL Chloramine Removal Series.
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