Antidepressants may cause potent tap water toxin

Antidepressants like Prozac and stimulants like methamphetamine may be responsible for creating one of the most potent toxins found in tap water. Researchers have now suggested reasons why the toxin nitrochloroform forms in the purification of water.

Recycling waste water is used in areas where droughts are frequent and local water supplies are unreliable. To restore sewage to potable water quality, it first goes through regular waste water treatment. Then, it is passed through several purification stages including ozone treatment followed by chlorination. These steps kill microorganisms and remove chemical impurities.

But sometimes, these processes create a toxin called nitrochloroform in the resulting drinking water. The toxin may form from antidepressants such as Prozac and stimulants like methamphetamine which are found in waste water. When the amines in these drugs come into contact with ozone, they react to form nitromethane. Then, during chlorination, the nitromethane converts into toxic nitrochloroform.

Use the starter slide with your class to help them recall some of the steps in treatment of water and understand how these steps can produce toxins.