NH2Cl is commonly used in low concentrations as a disinfectant in municipal water systems as an alternative to chlorination. This application is increasing. Chlorine (sometimes referred to as Free Chlorine) is being displaced by chloramine, which is much more stable and does not dissipate from the water before it reaches consumers. NH2Cl also exhibits less tendency to convert organic materials into chlorocarbons such as chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Such compounds have been identified as carcinogens and in 1979 the U.S. EPA began regulating their levels in U.S. drinking water. Furthermore, water treated with chloramine lacks the distinct chlorine odour of the gaseous treatment and so has improved taste.
Safety:
NH2Cl is toxic in large quantities. US EPA regulations limit chloramine concentration to 4 parts per million ppm. A typical target level in US public water supplies is 3 ppm.
New swimming pool initially filled with chloramine-treated tap water, showing greenish color of chloramine in bulk water. The color is less apparent in smaller volumes, but is noticeable in a white 5-gallon bucket, or even faintly detectable in a glass tumbler on careful inspection.
Chloramine – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Note: By using reverse osmosis you can reduce the amount of chloramine in your water to around .05 parts per million ppm (or 5/100ths of 1 part per million).
