Water Contaminant: Drinking-Water Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
What are DBPs?
Drinking-water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are a major concern for many households. These chemicals are formed when chlorine, the most commonly used disinfectant in municipal water systems, reacts with organic matter in the water. Although DBPs are not necessarily harmful in small amounts, long-term exposure to high levels of these chemicals can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of cancer and other chronic health problems.
How are we exposed to DBPs?
DBPs are formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, creating a range of chemicals, including trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), and bromate. People are exposed to disinfection byproducts through contact with chemically disinfected water – drinking it, eating food prepared with it, and bathing or swimming in it.
How do DBPs affect our health?
These chemicals can have negative effects on human health, particularly when consumed in large quantities over an extended period of time. For example, studies have shown that long-term exposure to high levels of THMs and HAAs can increase the risk of certain cancers, including bladder, rectal, and colon cancer.
Additionally, DBPs can also have a negative impact on the environment. When DBPs are released into the environment, they can harm aquatic life and contribute to the decline of ecosystems. They can also accumulate in the soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources.
DBP removal and reduction
To mitigate the risks associated with DBPs certain water treatment technology should be used. Technologies, such as reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, and ultraviolet (UV) light treatment, can effectively remove or reduce the levels of DBPs in drinking water.
For example, reverse osmosis systems work by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane, which removes impurities, including DBPs. Activated carbon filtration systems use a carbon-based filter to absorb impurities from the water. UV light treatment systems use ultraviolet light to neutralize pathogens and other contaminants in the water.
Longevity systems to remove DBPs
Longevity Water Systems use a combination of reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, and ultraviolet (UV) light treatment depending on the water contamination from the source.
Longevity Carbon Filtration
Our activated carbon filtration systems improve your water’s taste and odor, while removing chlorine, pharmaceuticals, and organics — including Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and antibiotics. Many serious DBPs can be reduced through carbon filtration.
Reverse-Osmosis
RO is considered one of the most all-around effective ways of eliminating water contaminants, removing up to 99% of heavy trace metals such as lead and chromium, unsafe minerals like asbestos, and 80+ other additional contaminants. RO systems protect your water supply from contamination events and untreated contaminants, even for those on municipal water. Because RO requires higher maintenance and frequent filter changers, it is advised to use them only at drinking water use points, such as in the kitchen.
Ultra-Violet Sterilization
UV systems are highly effective at water disinfection and sterilization. UV systems inactivate many microbial pathogens (i.e. bacteria, protozoa, and virus). Our technology is proven to control microbiological issues in water including E.coli, Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia and Microorganisms are inactivated within seconds; eliminating the need for long retention times or retention tanks.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, while DBPs are a serious concern for many households, there are effective solutions available that effectively reduce the risks and ensure that you and your family are drinking safe and healthy water.
