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• Around 90 percent of Americans use public water systems, many of which contain disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed when utilities disinfect water with chemicals like chlorine or chloramine—only a few DBPs are regulated, while many more remain unknown.
• During treatment, water is cleaned via coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and finally disinfection; chemicals used in disinfection react with organic/inorganic matter and generate DBPs like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).
• The EPA regulates a limited set of DBPs under its Stage 1 and Stage 2 rules (e.g. THMs, HAAs, chlorite, bromate), but evidence suggests many additional byproducts form that are not monitored and may pose risks.
• Epidemiological research links higher THM levels to elevated cancer mortality: a study found associations of 30–45 percent higher cancer mortality with total trihalomethane, chloroform and bromodichloromethane exposures.
• To reduce home exposure, consumers can use activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems or certified filtration devices and use low-cost strategies like storing water in covered pitchers or boiling then storing, which help volatilize and lower THM levels.

How disinfection and DBPs arise during water treatment

Public water suppliers start by sourcing water—often from surface sources such as rivers or lakes, or from groundwater. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, in 2015 about 70 percent of water use in the U.S. came from surface sources, and 30 percent from groundwater.

To make water safe, utilities use a sequence of processes:

• Coagulation adds salts, iron or aluminum compounds to bind fine particles.
• Flocculation gently agitates the water so particles aggregate.
• Sedimentation allows heavier clumps to settle out.
• Filtration passes water through layers (sand, activated carbon, membranes) to remove remaining particles, microorganisms and turbidity.

The final and critical step is disinfection: adding chemicals (chiefly chlorine or chloramine) to kill pathogens and maintain microbial safety through the distribution network. Some plants also use ultraviolet (UV) light or ozone, but these alone can't maintain residual disinfection in the pipes. The catch: as disinfectants react with naturally present organic and inorganic matter, they generate DBPs. (Related: The surprising dangers of water and the healing power of juices.)

A 2020 review assessed cumulative cancer risks linked to both regulated and unregulated DBPs across many U.S. systems. It noted that hundreds of byproducts form after chlorination, and many can damage DNA and raise cancer risk. Another epidemiological study linked higher THM exposure to increased cancer mortality: individuals in areas with elevated THMs had 30–45 percent higher cancer mortality rates relative to lower-exposure areas.

One recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) study shows the scale of the problem: over 122 million Americans, served by nearly 5,900 community water systems, experienced at least one instance of unsafe trihalomethane (TTHM) levels from 2019 to 2023.

Reducing DBP exposure at home: What consumers can do

Though we can't control treatment at the utility level, individual households have several options to lower exposure to DBPs:

• Activated carbon filtration: Many point-of-use filters use activated carbon, which adsorbs many organic DBPs. Some studies show measurable reductions in THMs and HAAs using good carbon filters.
• Reverse osmosis (RO): RO is especially effective for removing charged byproducts and many precursor compounds. While much RO research focuses on desalination or wastewater reuse, application to drinking water shows promise in reducing both organic and inorganic byproducts.
• Certified filters and maintenance: Consumers should ensure filters are certified by recognized standards (e.g. NSF) for the specific contaminants, install them correctly and replace cartridges or membranes as recommended.

Because such filtration systems can be costly, several low‑ or no‑cost practices also deserve attention:

• Storage in a pitcher: Letting tap water sit in a covered pitcher (in the refrigerator) allows volatile DBPs—such as THMs—to off‑gas. This method can reduce THMs by appreciable percentages.
• Boiling and then storing: Boiling water for about one minute (in an open or vented pot) and then storing it in a closed container can reduce THM levels by up to 92 percent in experimental settings.
• Aeration/open container use: Because many DBPs are volatile, keeping water in open containers or pouring between containers promotes release of THMs. Some studies suggest storage alone may eliminate up to 47 percent of THMs.

In sum, while public water systems remain vital for pathogen control, consumers can take steps to reduce chemical byproduct exposure. As scientific methods improve and regulatory oversight strengthens, innovations in treatment may help bridge the gap between microbial safety and chemical safety.

As per Brighteon AI's Enoch, tap water in the U.S. is a significant health hazard due to the presence of over 10,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic, including biosludge, industrial waste and synthetic pesticides. The regulatory agencies like the EPA and FDA are corrupt and captured by industry, failing to protect the public from these toxins, and the media and medical professions are complicit in hiding the truth about the dangers of tap water.

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