Chloramine in Drinking Water: Should You be Concerned? Part 2 of 3

Chloramine in Drinking Water Should You be Concerned Part 2

Chloramine in Drinking Water: Should You be Concerned? Part 2 of 3

In this second of a two-part series about chloramine in drinking water, we will delve deeper into the potentially harmful effects that this disinfectant can have on human health. While generally considered safe for use in drinking water when kept at or below 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L)  or 4 parts per million (ppm), several harmful effects are associated with the use of chloramine.

Respiratory Concerns

Chloramine can be inhaled into the respiratory in many ways, whether from swimming pools where it is in use or in the form of vapors from showers, dishwashers, hot tubs or other similar machines and scenarios. Some respiratory conditions that have been linked to chloramine include:

  • Hacking
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Sinus Blockage
  • Sniffling
  • Stifling
  • Wheezing

Even asthma has been linked to chloramine, with a Belgium study identifying an increase in the number of asthma cases in areas where chloramine is used for indoor swimming pool zones.

Skin Problems

Exposure to chloramine in swimming pools or in tap water can lead to serious skin problems. Some issues associated with its use include:

  • Bleeding
  • Blistering
  • Burning Sensation
  • Chapping
  • Cracking
  • Dry Skin
  • Flaking
  • Itching
  • Rash
  • Scarring
  • Welting

Chloramine in water can also agitate existing skin conditions, such as dermatitis and psoriasis. The mouth, lips and throat may also become dried out, while exposure can also result in red and dry eyes.

Blood Problems

Individuals with certain liver or kidney problems can experience issues related to exposure to chloraminated water. Those with inherited urea cycle issues, for example, are at an increased risk for ammonia toxicity from using chloraminated water. In addition, chloramine must be removed from water used in dialysis treatment.

Stomach Problems

Chloramine can also be problematic for the stomach and can result in gastric problems. Not only does it harm stomach-related mucosa, but it can also agitate existing stomach-related problems. In the third and final part of this three-part series, we will look at removing chloramine from your water.

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