What is chloramine and how is it different from chlorine?

Chloramine (monochloramine, NH₂Cl) is formed by combining chlorine with ammonia. It is more stable than free chlorine in distribution networks, which means less smell at the tap. However, it is harder to remove by standard filtration.

How do I know if my water contains chloramine?

Check your water utility's annual quality report for 'chloramine', 'monochloramine' or 'chloramination'. The smell can also indicate it: chloramine smells more like an indoor swimming pool than free chlorine's sharp bleach smell.

Does activated carbon remove chloramine?

Standard activated carbon reduces chloramine by 50–70% (vs 95%+ for free chlorine). High-density or catalytic activated carbon (CAC) achieves 85–95% reduction and is recommended in chloraminated water areas.

Chloramine in Shower Water: The Disinfectant Nobody Warned You About

Why utilities switched from chlorine to chloramine

Chlorine breaks down quickly in long distribution networks, leaving distant taps under-disinfected. Chloramine is far more stable — it stays active throughout the entire network. For utilities, this is a practical win. For consumers, the trade-off is less obvious:

Less "bleach smell" at the tap — seems cleaner, but disinfectant load is similar
Harder to eliminate through standard household filtration
Forms distinct disinfection by-products (DBPs) at higher genotoxicity per EPA research

Key insight: the absence of chlorine smell does not mean your water is chemical-free. It often means the disinfectant is harder to detect — and harder to filter.

Effects on your skin during a hot shower

Skin irritation at repeated exposure, especially in people with atopic tendencies
Hot showers volatilise chloramine into the air — inhalation in an enclosed shower is a real exposure route
Some chloramine by-products (iodoacids, haloacetonitriles) are more genotoxic than chloroform at equivalent concentrations per recent EPA studies

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How to protect yourself

Standard activated carbon: 50–70% chloramine reduction
High-density activated carbon + KDF: 85–95% — recommended for chloraminated supplies
Ventilate: open door or window during shower to reduce inhaled vapour concentration
Lower temperature: 38°C instead of 42°C significantly cuts volatilisation

The Limpéa combines high-density activated carbon with KDF media, offering strong reduction of both free chlorine and chloramine — plus limescale and heavy metals.