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12/2/2024
WT Staff
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December 2, 2024 938 am PST
Mystery toxin found in US drinking water identified
Safe Drinking Water Act
The EPA monitors novel contaminants of concern to maintain safe drinking water in the USA. A roster of contaminants of concern are studied extensively in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring program, a five year intensive investigation to determine whether or not updates need to be made to the SDWA regulations. Following the latest five year testing cycle and announced earlier this year, a group of per- and polyfluoroalkyn (PFAS) substances were added to the list of contaminants that drinking water facilities must manage and maintain below an established maximum. In the last five year investigation cycle, a group of cyanotoxins were studied, the results of that process led to a Health Directive with no change made to the regulations.
Another group of contaminants, the toxic by-products formed when organic particles in raw water react with products used in the disinfection process were added to the SDWA regulations as far back as 1979. Chloroamines are used for disinfection of drinking water for more than 100 million US residents. See the history of the SDWA regulations concerning disinfection by-products, here.
A recent article published in the journal "Science" has identified and characterized what has so far been referred to as an unknown toxin. The article titled "Chloronitramide anion is a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines" by Fairey et el, (Nov 21, 2024 Science, Vol 386 Issue 6724, pp 882-887) at last identifies the unknown. According to the authors, the "chloronitramide anion" has been detected in US drinking water samples where chloroamines are used for disinfection, potentially impacting over 100 million people in the USA. Following more study by the EPA we may see this contaminant added to the SDWA By-products of disinfection rules in the future. More to follow.
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