Chloramine There are a number of chemicals that water companies put into water as part of the disinfection process. Chloramine is one of the newer types of chemicals put into water to disinfect water supplies instead of Chlorine, it is created by combining traditional Chlorine and Ammonia. It is used by water companies here in the UK, in the United States and many other nations. Like Chlorine, Chloramines react with organic material in water supplies and cause THMs (Trihalomethanes). THMs have been linked with causing certain cancers and are best eliminated from home water supplies altogether. In this article we will discuss what Chloramine is and also the method to best remove it from our water supplies at point of use.

Chloramine is actually a group of three different chemicals; Monochloramine (NH2CL), Dichloramine (NHCl2) and trichloramine (NCl3). These chemicals are closely related and will easily shift into each form depending upon a variety of factors such as water pH, temperature, turbulence and even ratio of Chlorine to ammonia.

Like Chlorine, Chloramines are also respiratory irritants and as stated above when Chloramines react to organic substances in water supplies this can cause THMs, which have been linked to cancer. Chloramine has not been as extensively researched and studied as Chlorine has been, according to the World Health Organisation, "monochloramine is about 2,000 and 100,000 times less effective than free chlorine for the inactivation of E. Coli and rotaviruses, respectively." As Chloramine is a respiratory irritant, fumes can cause respiratory issues in enclosed areas such as shower cubicles. Lung mucosa can be damaged by exposure to Chloramines and it can also cause adverse skin reactions such as; rashing, dry skin, itching, flaking, etc. For people with sensitive skin and skin conditions such as Eczema it can aggravate these conditions. Ammonia is a part of Chloramine and it is known to effect skin adversely by breaking down cell structure proteins, extracting water from cells and can begin an inflammatory response which can further damage surrounding tissue.

The easiest way to remove Chloramines from shower water is to use a filter which includes Carbon filtration, such as our 8 Stage Shower Filter, Slim Line Shower Filter or Compact Shower Filter. These Shower Filters use both GAC (Granulated Active Carbon) and KDF-55 to filter shower water at the point of use (in this case the shower) and by removing Chloramines the shower filters ensure no toxic fumes are breathed into the lungs and no skin or hair is exposed to Chloramines. With the addition of KDF-55 to these filters additional contaminants such as heavy metals and also Chlorine is removed from shower water.

Please take a look at our shower filter store at http://www.pureshowers.co.uk to see our range of Chloramine Shower Filters.

 

Resources:

Optimizing Chloramine Treatment - Edition 2 (Book)

http://www.chloramine.org/chloraminefacts.htm