Protect Americans From Dangerous Unregulated Chemicals In Tap Water
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Millions unknowingly drink water with an unregulated chemical that could be toxic—act now to demand safety, transparency, and protection for every household.
Every time you turn on the tap, you trust that the water flowing into your home is safe. But a newly identified chemical, chloronitramide anion, has been found in drinking water systems across the United States, affecting over 113 million people1. This compound, a byproduct of the disinfectant chloramine, is unregulated and untested for toxicity2. The health risks remain unknown, leaving millions potentially vulnerable.
What’s in Your Water?
Chloramine, a widely used alternative to chlorine, was adopted to reduce disinfection byproducts linked to cancers and miscarriages3. However, chloramine decomposes into lesser-known byproducts like chloronitramide anion. This compound, identified only recently after decades of research, is chemically similar to toxic substances4. Scientists warn that its small molecular size may allow it to enter cells and biological systems5.
The presence of chloronitramide anion raises serious questions. Is it safe? Could it contribute to long-term health issues? These critical questions remain unanswered because no toxicological studies have been conducted2.
Why Action is Needed Now
Clean water is a fundamental human right. Disinfectants like chloramine are essential for preventing diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Yet the trade-off between eliminating pathogens and introducing unregulated chemicals into our water is alarming5. Public health experts emphasize the need for updated regulations to address these risks while maintaining safe disinfection practices3.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently regulates only a handful of disinfectant byproducts2. Chloronitramide anion’s widespread presence highlights gaps in oversight and a pressing need for further research. Without swift action, millions could unknowingly consume water containing potentially harmful substances.
What Can Be Done?
Scientists recommend urgent toxicological studies to determine whether chloronitramide anion poses a risk to human health1. Meanwhile, utilities must minimize exposure by improving water treatment methods and reducing byproduct formation3. But these measures require strong regulatory support from the EPA.
You have the power to demand accountability and protect your health. By calling on the EPA to investigate chloronitramide anion and update water safety standards, we can ensure safe, clean drinking water for future generations.
Take Action Today
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Sign our petition urging the EPA to take immediate action to study and regulate chloramine and its byproducts. Together, we can ensure that every American has access to water that is not only clean but safe.
- Sara Moniuszko, CBS News (22 November 2024), "What to know about the newly identified chemical found in certain U.S. drinking water."
- Evan Bush, NBC News (21 November 2024), "Newly identified chemical in drinking water is most likely present in many homes and could be toxic."
- Frank Landymore, Futurism (23 November 2024), "Scientists Identify Strange Chemical in Drinking Water Across the US."
- Tom Hawking, Popular Science, (21 November 2024), "‘Unidentified product’ in tap water identified after 40 years."
- Sarah Raza and Teddy Amenabar, The Washington Post (22 November 2024), "What experts say about tap water amid new concerns."
The Petition:
To the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
We, the undersigned, urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promptly investigate the health risks posed by chloramine and its byproduct, chloronitramide anion, in U.S. drinking water. Recent research has revealed that this chemical, present in water systems serving over 113 million Americans, may pose significant health risks, yet its toxicity remains untested.
Chloramine, while effective at reducing some disinfection byproducts linked to cancer and miscarriages, decomposes into chloronitramide anion, a compound with structural similarities to known toxic substances. This discovery highlights a critical gap in our understanding of the chemical risks associated with water treatment. Immediate toxicological evaluation and regulatory action are essential to protect public health and restore confidence in our water systems.
We call on the EPA to:
- Conduct a comprehensive toxicological study of chloronitramide anion.
- Assess the potential long-term health impacts of chloramine use and its byproducts.
- Develop updated guidelines and regulations for water utilities to minimize exposure.
By addressing these concerns, the EPA will help safeguard the health of millions of Americans and set a precedent for proactive environmental oversight. Prompt action will not only protect our drinking water but ensure a healthier, more secure future for all.
Sincerely,
