What is a disadvantage of using chloramine?

What is a disadvantage of using chloramine?

• A. It is the most dangerous disinfectant to work with
• B. It creates the most disinfection by-products
• C. Less effective disinfectant than free chlorine residual
• D. It is the least stable disinfectant

Answer: (C)

Chloramine, while useful as a disinfectant in water treatment, is generally less effective than free chlorine residual in certain contexts, particularly in the initial disinfection phase. Free chlorine acts more quickly in killing bacteria and other pathogens due to its strong oxidizing properties. In many situations, it is also effective at higher concentrations and can penetrate biofilms and other debris more effectively than chloramine. Although chloramine maintains a longer-lasting residual in the water distribution system, its disinfectant properties are not as potent as those of free chlorine when it comes to immediate pathogen destruction. This can lead to considerations about its use in situations where rapid disinfection is crucial. The other options presented highlight different aspects of chloramine. While it is not the most dangerous disinfectant to work with — that title often goes to chlorine gas or other strong oxidants — nor does it necessarily create the most disinfection by-products; in fact, it generally produces fewer harmful by-products compared to free chlorine when reacting with organic matter. Additionally, chloramine is fairly stable under normal conditions, making its advantages as a residual disinfectant in drinking water prominent, albeit at the cost of some immediate disinfection capability compared to free chlorine.

Chloramine, while useful as a disinfectant in water treatment, is generally less effective than free chlorine residual in certain contexts, particularly in the initial disinfection phase. Free chlorine acts more quickly in killing bacteria and other pathogens due to its strong oxidizing properties. In many situations, it is also effective at higher concentrations and can penetrate biofilms and other debris more effectively than chloramine.

Although chloramine maintains a longer-lasting residual in the water distribution system, its disinfectant properties are not as potent as those of free chlorine when it comes to immediate pathogen destruction. This can lead to considerations about its use in situations where rapid disinfection is crucial.

The other options presented highlight different aspects of chloramine. While it is not the most dangerous disinfectant to work with — that title often goes to chlorine gas or other strong oxidants — nor does it necessarily create the most disinfection by-products; in fact, it generally produces fewer harmful by-products compared to free chlorine when reacting with organic matter. Additionally, chloramine is fairly stable under normal conditions, making its advantages as a residual disinfectant in drinking water prominent, albeit at the cost of some immediate disinfection capability compared to free chlorine.