Researchers Identify Chemical Byproduct In US Tap Water, Advocate Rapid Assessment Of Potential Toxicity

The Washington Post (11/21, A1, Achenbach, Johnson) reports, “A mysterious byproduct of a chemical used to disinfect the tap water of about one-third of Americans has finally been identified, and the international research team behind the discovery is advocating rapid assessment of its potential toxicity.” The research “does not claim that tap water containing the byproduct is unsafe to drink or that the finding represents any kind of emergency.” However, “the discovery of a new and previously unknown chemical, called chloronitramide anion, could have implications for municipal water systems that use a class of chlorine-based disinfectants called chloramines.” The findings were published in Science. NBC News (11/21, Bush) reports, “Researchers said the existence of the byproduct was discovered about 40 years ago, but it was only identified now because analysis techniques have improved, which finally enabled scientists to determine the chemical’s structure.” It may “take years to figure out whether chloronitramide anion is dangerous – it’s never been studied.” CNN (11/21, Christensen) reports similarly that it is “not clear whether the byproduct could be harmful to human health, but the study authors say its properties are similar to those of other molecules that are toxic enough for the government to regulate them.”