Mysterious chemical byproduct in U.S. tap water finally identified
Source: Washington Post
Mysterious chemical byproduct in U.S. tap water finally identified
Scientists discover formula and structure of chlorine-related molecule and urge tests for possible toxicity.
By Carolyn Y. Johnson and Joel Achenbach
November 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. EST
A mysterious byproduct of a chemical used to disinfect the tap water of about one-third of Americans has finally been identified, and the international research team behind the discovery is advocating rapid assessment of its potential toxicity.
The research, reported Thursday in the journal Science, does not claim that tap water containing the byproduct is unsafe to drink or that the finding represents any kind of emergency. All water, including bottled water, contains contaminants. (1)
But the discovery of a new and previously unknown chemical, called chloronitramide anion, could have implications for municipal water systems that use a class of chlorine-based disinfectants called chloramines. For decades these disinfectants, derived from the mixture of chlorine and ammonia, have been added to many municipal water supplies to kill bacteria and prevent waterborne illnesses.
“We need to investigate it. We don’t know the toxicity,” said environmental engineer Julian Fairey, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas and lead author of the paper. “This work was 40 years in the making in terms of trying to identify the compound, and now that we have identified it, we can delve into how toxic is this thing.”
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By Carolyn Y. Johnson
Carolyn Johnson is a science reporter. She previously covered the business of health and the affordability of health care to consumers. follow on X @carolynyjohnson
By Joel Achenbach
Joel Achenbach covers science and politics for the National desk. He has been a staff writer for The Post since 1990. follow on X @JoelAchenbach
(1) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk6749
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2024/11/21/tap-water-byproduct-chloronitramide-anion/
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Natural’s so much healthier, you know.
Here is Delhi, India with an astronomically devastating AQI.
Citizens complain of daily health problems like asthma, acne, and psoriasis, exacerbated by the toxic smog.
The toxic smog around Delhi is perennial.
Source:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-air-pollution-live-updates-toxic-air-aqi-level-grap-4-restrictions-schools-private-offices/liveblog/115508462.cms
We'll never go back!
"Nearly two billion children – about 93 percent of the world’s children under the age of 15 – breathe toxic, putrid air that’s so polluted it puts their health and well-being at serious risk, a new report said.
Many of the children die: The United Nations' WHO estimates 600,000 children died in 2016 from lower respiratory infections caused by dirty air."
Source:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/10/30/air-pollution-93-percent-worlds-children-breath-polluted-air/1811587002/
That's not happening in China, and this photo shows how they are suffering as a result.
but isn't that the recipe for mustard gas, or some other kind of similar toxic agent? 
I generally try to avoid all chemicals when possible. I'd hate to accidentally poison myself, or my dog 
Fingers crossed! 
I try to avoid all of that stuff, just because I don't always know what I'm doing 
