Bromates in Water: EPA Regulation & Testing for Healthier Water - Essay Sample

Introduction

Bromates in chemistry are majorly referred to as by-products of the disinfectants. It is normally a good field of research by the water supply analysts while doing testing of the purity of water. generally, chemical bromates are usually used to check for specific organic compounds that have undergone bromination processes.

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In order to obtain water that is healthier for domestic purposes, environmental protection agency has to come in and regulate some of the disinfection products or rather the bromates that are contained in water. however, it would be necessary to understand their formation techniques and the possible health effects that they pose on the lives of individuals upon consumption.

The first example of the disinfection products found in water is the trihalomethane group of compounds. Bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane are common examples of products contained in this group. They are usually formed when a reaction between the naturally occurring organic products found in water combine with the building blocks of the main disinfectants; that is chlorine and chloramine. When water containing these chemical substances are consumed, the consumer would probably suffer from the central nervous system or kidney problems and would also increase the chances for the cancer infection.

Halo acetic acids are yet another group of compounds found I water as a disinfectant by-product. Some of the examples of compounds found in this group are dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, dibromo acetic acid, and bromoacetic acid. They are usually formed when the chlorine and the chloramines in the acids react with the organic and inorganic product occurring naturally in the environment. When water containing the halo acetic acids is consumed, the chances of getting cancer is generally increased due to the effects of gradual damage of the walls of the stomach by the acids.

Bromate itself is yet another form of disinfectant which occurs independently when the bromide ions contained in water combines with other disinfectants of other groups in water.it also have an effect of increasing the chances of contracting cancer in the health of humans.

Chlorates are also not an exception, this is another form of disinfectant, that occurs as a result of chemical breakdown of the chlorine oxide. It has adverse effects majorly on weak people like children and pregnant women. In may lead to failure in the nervous system in both children and pregnant women, in addition, it may also cause anemia when excessively used over a long period of time.

EPAs Drinking Water Regulations

EPA is working so hard to ensure that standard regulations are placed to reduce the effects of water contamination by the disinfectants. The first regulation is a rule by the EPA which helps to ensure that all water treatment processes are checked and done correctly so that any traces of non-intentional addition of these by-products are removed. The rule also helps to give strict conditions to those that add these disinfectants in the water knowingly, to ensure that proper rules are uploaded unto them.

Another rule by the EPA is the safe drinking water act which ensures that the general public domain is notified of the existence of disinfectants in water, and the possible regulation criteria that can be used in order to reduce or eliminate the effects completely.

How to Detect Disinfectants in Water?

In order to determine that water has been contaminated, there is a need to measure the maximum contaminant level of water. this can only be achieved by the EPAs, they should determine a certain level of contaminants that be allowed in the water, that is; a level of a contaminant that will not have any adverse effects on the health of the consumer. All other water regulatory services should then use this figure s the maximum contaminant level MCL to ensure that they always notify their customers of any changes beyond the value within a span of not more than 30 days before the effects are seen. It is therefore important for a customer to keep in touch with current issues from the supplier to notify him/her of the water standards and if they satisfy the requirements.

Removal of Disinfection Products from Water

In regards to the effects of the disinfection products, it would, therefore, be so unhealthy to drink water containing these chemical substances, as a result, there is need to avoid them at all stages of the water purification. The first method of enhancing this is by; modifying the disinfection practices to a level that the effects of pathogens meaningless, this can be accomplished by putting in some chemicals for water treatment, to help in killing the pathogens whenever they come into contact with the water. secondly, it would also be of many benefits if all the water bodies having their sources coming from ground applies treatment methods like the conventional filtration in order to eliminate a large number of organic materials in them that may react with various disinfectants in water leading to the formation of disinfection products.

How to Learn About the Disinfection Products

EPA usually encourages the public to get access to the water bills or the government's telephone book listings to obtain information on water safety drinking safety plans. It is also a requirement by the community water suppliers to prepare an annual report on water quality, and deliver them to their prospective customers in order to keenly follow up on the progress and the processes that are taking place.