02/24/2009 US EPA COMMON HEALTH QUESTIONS RELATED TO MONOCHLORAMINE 26) Does monochloramine cause digestive problems? EPA believes that water disinfected with monochloramine that meets regulatory standards has no known or anticipated adverse health effects, including digestive problems. • EPA's regulatory standard for monochloramine is based primarily on risk assessments focused on drinking water. • EPA's standard for monochloramine is set at a level where no digestive problems are expected to occur. • EPA's regulatory standard for monochloramine provides a wide margin of safety to offset uncertainties in risk assessments. An important characteristic of monochloramine is that any amount ingested quickly leaves the body. • Monochloramine is broken down by saliva. • Monochloramine is neutralized by stomach acid. • Monochloramine leaves the body through human waste. People who believe that their digestive problems are related to monochloramine should consult with their doctors. • The causes of digestive problems are often difficult to determine. • People who have digestive problems should inform their doctors about what they have drunk or eaten and about any unusual exposures to chemicals. • CDC's investigation1 of reports of monochloramine-related digestive problems associated with drinking water use was unable to draw any conclusions about monochloramine and health effects. Additional Supporting Information: 1. CDC and EPA conducted a preliminary investigation of reports of monochloramine- related digestive problems associated with drinking water. The investigation consisted of a questionnaire filled out by complainants. The information collected can be used to help design future epidemiologic studies. CDC's trip report can be found at: http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/water/documents/CDC Chloramines report 011608.pdf. ------- |