According to a study released on Thursday, approximately a third of Americans may be consuming tap water that contains a byproduct from water treatment processes that could be toxic.

For over a hundred years, public water systems have utilized chemical agents to eliminate pathogens responsible for waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, resulting in the preservation of numerous lives. This purification has primarily relied on chlorine. However, in the 1970s, researchers discovered that chlorine could react with organic materials in water, leading to the formation of harmful chemicals linked to cancer, low birth weight, and miscarriages.

Since the 1990s, many water systems have switched to using chloramine, a chlorine derivative, for purification. Approximately 113 million people across the U.S. receive water treated with this method. Unfortunately, this alternative produces hundreds of byproducts, including an “unknown substance” that has puzzled researchers.

In a study published in the journal Science, scientists have identified this compound as chloronitramide anion, which has potential links to carcinogens, possibly affecting reproductive and developmental health.

Julian Fairey, the lead author and an engineering professor at the University of Arkansas, stated during a press briefing, “There is a strong reason to study the toxicity. Immediate investigations are needed.”

This research raises significant concerns about long-standing water disinfection techniques and may lead to the exploration of safer methods for pathogen removal in water supplies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged that the study enhances understanding of the chloramine byproduct but noted that any regulatory measures will require further study.

According to the EPA, regulations are formulated based on the processes specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act, which draw upon the best available peer-reviewed research.

David Sedlak, the director of the Berkeley Water Center and not affiliated with the study, remarked that while the byproduct might not have noticeable effects, the lack of research on population-wide impacts is concerning. He commented on the effectiveness of water treatment in most communities, emphasizing the need to identify and resolve issues during the disinfection process.

“Addressing this issue at the drinking water treatment facility is critical to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our community,” he told YSL News.

With support from a National Science Foundation grant, Fairey and colleagues from the EPA and ETH Zurich, a public university in Switzerland, successfully isolated and identified the byproduct resulting from chloramine breakdown.

The researchers employed their method in ten drinking water systems across seven U.S. states, discovering that all 40 water samples contained the byproduct.

The highest concentrations of the byproduct were recorded at 120 micrograms per liter, exceeding the federal limits for numerous disinfection byproducts, which typically range from 60 to 80 micrograms per liter. The study’s median level was found to be 23 micrograms per liter. Notably, no chloronitramide anion was detected in systems that utilized different disinfection approaches.

Utilizing analyses from the EPA, the researchers evaluated the potential risks associated with the compound, linking chloronitramide anion to 84 categories of human harm, including chronic toxicity and prenatal development issues, which could impact multiple generations.

The conclusion of the study expressed that the byproduct “may pose a significant health risk to humans” and called for prompt evaluation of its presence in water sources, tap water, and wastewater. The researchers also advocated for further studies into its potential carcinogenic effects along with reproductive and developmental risks.

David Andrews, the deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, stated that this research underscores the necessity for enhanced national monitoring and toxicity evaluations to fully assess the risks involved. His organization has its own list of hazardous compounds.

“The presence of these disinfectant byproducts does have health implications,” he noted. “This highlights the critical need for a thorough evaluation of our drinking water quality and filtration systems.”

Currently, the potential toxic effects of this byproduct remain undetermined, as mentioned by David Wahman, a research environmental engineer with the EPA and a co-author of the study. Researchers suggest that using a Brita filter or similar products can help eliminate such compounds from tap water, as these filters utilize carbon for purification.