Chloramines are a family of chemicals that are added to some municipal water supplies as a disinfectant.
These chemicals have characteristics of both chlorine and ammonia.
Chloramines can impart an offensive taste and odor to drinking water and beverages
Chloramines can cause skin irritation and are corrosive in nature
Chloramine vapors and disinfection byproducts can accumulate in indoor air and concentrate in an enclosed area such as a shower stall, small bathroom, kitchen or apartment
Chloramines are respiratory irritants, and can cause and/or aggravate respiratory problems
The US EPA states that there are NO dermal (skin) and NO inhalant (respiratory) studies on chloramine used as a disinfectant for drinking water
The US EPA states that information on the absorption of inorganic chloramines is extremely limited (http://www.epa.gov/ncea/pdfs/water/chloramine/dwchloramine.pdf)
Clinical reports indicate that acute chloramine exposure, either by inhalation or ingestion, results in burning eyes and throat, shortness of breath, coughing, nausea, reversible pulmonary damage and allergic responses.
Kidney dialysis patients cannot use water treated with chloramines in their dialysis machine, as it may cause hemolytic anemia
Chloramines can’t be removed by boiling, distillation, regular activated carbon filtration, or by letting water stand uncovered.
Interested in how to remove Chloramines from your water? Call EcoWater Kitchener Today 519-744-1713
