The latest news about our tap water in Singapore has caused some concern among Singaporeans. The summary of the article is as follows:

“Scientists are studying whether a chemical compound found in minute traces in tap water here could be harmful if ingested in larger amounts.

The synthetic chemical in question is a by-product of diphenylguanidine (DPG), which is usually found in rubber products, such as car tyres.

While Singapore’s water treatment regimen removes any DPG leaching into the catchment, the scientists believe it could be leaking into tap water post-treatment when it comes into contact with rubber parts in plumbing and reacts with chlorine in the water.

This then turns into a DPG-chlorine by-product.

Researchers from the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (Newri) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) found that the by-product caused some damage to human DNA in lab tests on human cells.

Professor Shane Snyder, Newri’s executive director, said: “The DPG-chlorine by-product is not an immediate cause for concern in Singapore, as the concentrations found in tap water here were much lower than what would be expected in other countries.

“However, we do need to consider the long-term chronic exposure scenario as our study evaluated only a single, one-time dose to the human cells. For drinking water, our exposure should be considered daily across our lifetime. Ultimately, it is the dose and duration of exposure to these compounds that will determine one’s carcinogenic risk.”

Replicating PUB’s water treatment processes, the team found that the treatment system was robust enough to remove all traces of DPG and 6PPD, even if they had been present in the water.

Surprisingly though, when the researchers took water samples from taps in 20 buildings across the island, they found small amounts of DPG in all the samples.

The DPG had combined with chlorine in water to form the new by-product. In comparison, 6PPD was found in a quarter of the samples, without any formation of obvious by-products.

Chlorine and other types of disinfectants kill harmful bacteria and viruses, and are used to ensure that tap water remains pathogen-free and safe to drink.

The scientists believe that rubber gaskets and seals commonly found in taps had leached these chemical substances after being exposed to the chlorine in tap water when it flowed through them. 

The DPG-chlorine by-product was found to be the most harmful when tested on a human cell, said Prof Snyder.”

What are disinfection by-products?

With regards to this report on chlorine by-products, it is important to note that normal filters cannot remove chlorine by-products.

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are chemicals that form when chlorine is used for disinfecting drinking water to prevent diseases. The chlorine reacts with decaying organic matter to form DBPs. Two of the most common types of DBPs found in chlorinated drinking water are trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).

The use of chlorine to treat drinking water has almost completely eliminated waterborne bacteria and diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and other gastrointestinal diseases. Chlorine is the most commonly used drinking water disinfectant. It has been used to disinfect water and make it suitable for drinking for more than 100 years.

However, some studies suggested that long-term exposure to consistent high levels of THMs or HAAs might increase the risk of cancer. Experts agree that any health concern from these DBPs come from exposure over years.

The benefits of disinfecting drinking water with chlorine are much greater than the potential health risks of being exposed to higher levels of THMs and HAAs.

How are people exposed to DBPs?

You can come in contact with THMs and HAAs when drinking or bathing in affected water or even breathing in steam when showering or any other activity that generates steam in an enclosed space.

How to reduce exposure to high THMs and HAAs levels?

You can reduce your exposure by:

• Opening windows or using a fan when bathing or showering, using a shower filter, and taking shorter baths (less than 30 minutes per day) or shorter showers (less than 10 minutes per day).
• Spending only a short amount of time in any activity that generates steam in an enclosed space.
• Installing a water filter that is certified to remove THMs. Look for a filter labeled with the NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification mark.
• To maintain clean water, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and maintaining your device. For example, filters should be regularly replaced.

Coral Pure Has Got The Solution

While Professor Shane Snyder stated that the concentrations found in tap water here were much lower than what would be expected in other countries, we must still consider it as one of the potential contaminants in our water supply that could be harmful to our health.

As the highest-spec water purifier brand in Singapore, Coral Pure is confident in informing our customers that all of our Premium 9 series models are equipped with NSF 58 certified filters.

Check out the info about TDS and Fluoride Removal: https://www.coralpurenatural.sg/fluoride-and-total-dissolved-solids-tds-removal/