Is the chlorine in tap water a concern?
Yes. For years chlorine has been used to disinfect water because it is readily available, low cost and remains in the water for long enough to be effective all the way to the farthest end of the distribution system. This residual chlorine is easily absorbed through the skin, mouth and stomach lining. In the past, problems were few and not severe. More recently, however, research has shown that the chlorine reacts with substances in the treated water to form chlorinated organic and inorganic compounds that have been linked to bladder and colon cancers. Additionally, human and animal toxicology studies report an association between chlorinated drinking water and spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neural tube defects, pre-term delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and low birth weight. Because of this the USEPA has proposed the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR). The annual cost of the rule is expected to be $54.3 to 63.9 million. Those most at risk
