The disinfection of drinking water is one of the largest public health achievements over the last 100 years. Since the early 1900s, it has helped to deal with cholera, typhoids and other microbial diseases.
But it is a double -edged sword. It is also because it can produce potentially harmful contaminants.
This contaminant is known for the next time. SterilizationOr DBP can often be found in drinking water where sources are not well protected from contaminants such as animal manure.
Some of the by -products can increase Cancer risk It harms the developed fetus. And many types of contact with sterilized water can expose everything to DBP, from drinking tap water to eating prepared food.
The best way to reduce the DBP level of water is to reduce the amount of pollution of water before arriving at the treatment plant of the utility. To do this, it is necessary to initially suppress the amount of agricultural waste in the water.
Not some by -products, but some have federal standards. The study in 2024 was previously found Unknown It has been detected in a system that provides services to more than 100 million people. no way 2025 Study The current standard suggests that it may not be protected from the cancer of the general population.
By -product
Scientists found more 600 types of disinfection by -products In the water, some are associated with harming the fetus in which the fetus occurs, as well as cancer and DNA damage.
Total Tribalomethane, TTHMS and HALOACETIC ACID, or HAA5 are two groups, including some of the most widespread disinfection by -products in tap water. Exposure to these contaminants can increase the risk of cancer. Bladder cancer and Colonial rectal cancer. Disinfection by -products are also lactic acid, cardiovascular defects, neural tube defects and Low weight weight.
The by -product is not added to the water. Rather, they are typically formed during the last step of water treatment when chlorine, chloramine and other disinfectants are added so that there is no disease -induced pathogen in water.
However, these chemicals can react with organic substances such as animal manure and soil particles to produce DBPs.
Some capital utility has been moved from chlorine to alternatives such as chloramine, chloride and ozone, reducing TTHM and HAA5 formation. The long -term health results exposed to chloramine and chloramine by -products are not understood.
However, studies have shown that these alternative disinfectants can form other by -products that can harm human health.
2024 study In the system using chloramine, we checked the unknown -unknown chlorine nitramid negative ions, which explains the system of supplying tap water to about 111 million Americans. This by -product has not been studied on toxicity, but it suggests that the chemical structure can be harmful in the same way as other by -products.
Is disinfection by -products controlled?
Environmental Protection Agency has set up maximum acceptable levels for some DBPs, including four TTHMs, HAA5, chlorine acid and bromate. This DBP is found in a water system that attracts large and small water systems in the country, especially the surface water.
EWG’s health base guidelines DBP is much lower than federal limitations. When developing these guidelines, EWG scientists reviewed the latest scientific evidence and health recommendations. They are mainly based on the health goals of California’s environmental health risk assessment, which says that drinking water contaminants should not cause serious health risks.
Some utility tries to observe the EPA standard using an alternative disinfectant. However, studies show that they can form harmful by -products, but federal limitations may not be applied.
EPAs and individual countries can not only strengthen some limitations for by -products, but also strengthen them by pursuing the first standard for many unmutable standards.
Reduction of by -products of tap water
Some strategies can help to reduce the formation of DBPs in processed drinking water. Such measures include agricultural practices to protect the raw water before arriving at the treatment factory to reduce fertilizer and soil leakage, including a buffer area near the river.
Other measures of the processing plant include improvements such as improvement of carbon filtration and distribution systems, for example, flushing and maintaining pH for reducing by -product formation.
What can you do to lower exposure?
One way to reduce exposure to DBP is to filter out drinking water. Simple carbon filters can be very effective, and it is especially important to use at an important living stage such as pregnancy.
For more information about water, including DBP or other toxic chemicals contaminated, Tap water database. You can also get advice on the best filter you want to use for certain pollutants.
