Does chlorination result in harmful compounds?
When chlorine is added to water, it reacts with organic substances that occur naturally in the water. The compounds formed are called “disinfection byproducts (DBPs).” The amount formed depends on the amount of chlorine used and contact time between the organic substances and the chlorine. Some studies of human health effects from exposure to chlorinated water show increased risk to cancer and reproductive and developmental effects. Other studies show no additional risk. Since there may be potential health effects, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted the Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR), which specifies maximum allowable levels and monitoring requirements for disinfectants and DBPs.
