Learn About Chloramine

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Does Chloramine Have a Distinct Odor and Taste?

Yes, and yes. Because chloramines are all composed of chlorine, they exhibit that distinct chemical odor and taste that many choose to filter from their water supply. If you notice that signature smell when showering or taste what you assume to be chlorine when drinking your tap water, it could be chloramine fumes. Neither experience will leave you appreciating the solution’s staying power.

Health Effects of Chloramine

To understand chloramines’ effects on one’s well-being, it’s important to first restate that quick fluctuation fact we mentioned earlier. The three forms of chloramine can shift into one another based on environmental factors. For instance, while monochloramine may be introduced into the water supply initially, it can become dichloramine or trichloramine based on the temperature, pH, and the chlorine-to-ammonia ratio.

So what are the health effects of any given chloramine form?

According to the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland, monochloramine has little demonstrated irritating effects. Whereas dichloramine can cause complaints at low concentrations. When it comes to trichloramine, this is by far the most irritating, and concerning, form of chloramine.

It’s essential to consider the following factors regarding chloramines in drinking water:

  • Chloramines in water are most concerning for kidney dialysis patients. If water that has not had chloramines removed is used in a kidney dialysis machine, the patient could experience acute hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia.

Chloramine can also cause corrosion of copper or lead piping, affecting the quality of a home’s water supply.

The corrosive properties of chloramines have caused problems in major cities. As reported by the Washington Post, Washington D.C. switched from chlorine to chloramine as a secondary disinfectant in 2001. When they made the switch, the water utility did not increase the amount of pipe corrosion inhibitor in the water supply. The older lead pipes in the city became corroded, and the lead concentration in the city water supply increased.

How to Remove Chloramine From Water

Chloramines are intended to treat your water and remove microorganisms that can cause infectious diseases. But once treated water arrives in your home, there are no tangible benefits to consuming chloramine. So how do you remove it? Chloramine removal at home isn’t 100%, it’s really a matter of chloramine reduction – which will help you and your family enjoy crisp, refreshing water right from the tap. Let’s explore the options.

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