Chloramine Removing Cartridge
Chloramine Removing Cartridge
In recent times a growing number of municipalities are adding ammonia to the water supply. They are doing this for two reasons. One is in recognition of some scientific study results that suggest chlorine is carcinogenic. The EPA has told water suppliers to reduce the amount of triholomethanes (chlorination byproducts) in the water supply, but they did not mandate the use of chloramines.
The other reason is that adding ammonia changes the chemistry of chlorine so that it continues to serve as a disinfectant, but in its new form lasts much longer. The new chemical is called chloramine. By definition, chloramines are harder to remove than chlorine.
Research published in 2007 by Dr. Michael Plewa indicated that the disinfection byproducts (DBPs) created from the use of chloramine are much more toxic than the DBPs of chlorine. These new nitrogen-containing DBPs are currently not regulated by the EPA. As far as we can determine, there still have been no scientific studies done to determine the risks to epidermis, respiratory, digestive or epidemiologic systems. There also seem to be no allergy tests for chloramine. Yet, this chemical is being formed in the water supply of people all over the country.
There are many reports of health concerns from chloramines. It is suggested that anyone with chemical sensitivities will react badly to chloramines. There have not been any EPA studies to officially determine whether chloramine will adversely effect individual health. But those individuals with extreme rashes and breathing problems know the answer without a study. The EPA says that ther are no dermal or inhalant studies on chloramine used in drinking water, and that there are inadequate cancer studies on animals or humans.
As a young man, the Big Splash at friendsofwater.com worked in the Dermatology Department of Mass General Hospital in Boston. One thing he learned was that you really must study something for years in clinical settings before you can make definitive statements about health effects. But over those years, that doesn't mean that harm isn't being done! You have to take responsibility for your own health.
Another concern is that the use of chloramines instead of chlorine can increase the amount of lead in the water, particularly when the treated water runs through older lead pipes.
Health problems directly experienced by many people from exposure to chloramines include:
Extremely severe skin rashes; Dry skin; Scaling skin; Erupting, oozing skin; Skin described as having chemical burns; Skin outbreak 'like hives' ; Swollen ears; Extreme fatigue; Hacking coughs; Sneezing; Nasal congestion; Itchy eyes; Burning eyes; Swollen eyes; Raspy throat; Peeling fingernails; Stomach aches; Yeast infection; Ammonia toxicity from consumption, especially for those with liver, kidney or urea cycle diseases
People who keep a fish aquarium know that they have to get the chloramine out - or the fish die.
Many many people have reported that stopping exposure to chloramines led to dramatic improvement in health conditions within days. Kdf, in all our canister, whole house and shower and bath filters, reduces chloramines, kdf 85 takes out chloramines.
Granulated carbon has long been known to remove organic byproducts, catalytic carbon has been shown to be more effective on chloramines, so that is used in our kitchen and whole house filters.
Like chlorine, chloramine is of concern while showering and bathing. Many report health issues from bathing or showering in water with chloramine. We are delighted that we now have both shower and bath filters (available upon request - Please call 512-870-8062) that greatly reduce chloramines. They remove a significant portion of chloramine. They take out the majority, but we can't state specific percentage for these new filters.
