Scientists have uncovered a new chemical compound lurking in U.S. drinking water, potentially exposing one in five Americans to an unidentified health risk.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have identified chloronitramide anion, a previously unknown byproduct of water disinfection that could have implications for public health, according to a new study published Thursday in Science.
Toxicity Still Unknown
The newly identified compound, chloronitramide anion (chemically expressed as Cl–N–NO2−), is an end product of inorganic chloramine decomposition. While its toxicity remains unknown, researchers are concerned about its prevalence and similarity to other toxic compounds, necessitating further study to assess its public health risk, the researchers wrote.
Chloramines, chemical compounds containing chlorine and ammonia used to kill bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can cause illness, have been used by water utilities since the 1930s. Over 20 percent of Americans consume drinking water treated with chloramines, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Challenges in Identification
While researchers have been aware of the compound for decades, its identification posed significant challenges, according to Julian Fairey, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas and first co-author of the paper detailing this discovery. […]
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