The term chloramine refers to both inorganic and organic chloramines. Chloramines are present in drinking water in two ways, usually as a result of the purification process:
Monochloramine is a widely used chloramine in distribution system as it is more stable and provides longer lasting disinfection and is highly effective in disinfecting water in a chlorine treatment plant. Chloramines are also used in the delivery system to help reduce the formation of common disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. However, chloramines react with natural organics to form other disinfection byproducts.
Basically, all drinking water sources should be disinfected. Disinfection is an important process in public drinking water treatment. The health risks associated with disinfection by-products are much lower than those associated with the consumption of insufficiently disinfected water. In most drinking water supply distribution systems, chloramine residue is kept below 4 mg/L.
According to studies, monochloramine is not classified as a human carcinogen. Information on dichloramine and trichloramine is insufficient to make any connection to adverse health effects in animals or humans. These forms are also less frequently detected in drinking water. The most important effect observed in humans and animals following the intake of monochloramine in drinking water is a decrease in body weight gain.
There are no US Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) approved methods for the direct measurement of chloramines. However, in practice there are several methods for measuring total and free chlorine. The results from these methods are used to calculate the combined chlorine (ie, chloramine) levels. However, it is also important to determine organic chloramine levels to avoid overestimating disinfectant residue.
Chloramines are generally found in drinking water at the treatment plant, in the distribution system, and in the on-site sanitary facilities. Drinking water treatment devices that reduce chloramine concentrations in drinking water are used to improve taste, but removal of disinfectant residue is not recommended.
Our organization also provides testing services for the determination of chloramine, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.
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