The Chemicals in the water in Walthamstow
The two chemicals; 2-EDD (2-ethyl-5,5 dimethyl-1,3 dioxane) and 2-EMD
(2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,3 dioxalane) found in the water in Walthamstow are by-products of a number of manufacturing processes including the manufacture of synthetic resins. The chemicals which are substituted heterocyclic hydrocarbons called dioxane and dioxalane, their names may initially cause alarm because they sound a little like dioxins which are highly toxic, however these chemicals are not thought to be in that league of toxicity. Although there is limited information about these compounds, at the concentrations reported; about 10-30ng/l there is no evidence that they are harmful following the short exposure reported in North East London. Similar incidences of these compounds in the water supply have been reported before in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in North and South America and in Worcester in the UK. In all cases some individuals report a distinct sickly sweet smell or taste in the water, this normally occurs at about 10ng/l. The harmful effects reported then by some individuals was probably due to the anxiety of knowing they had consumed a complicated sounding chemical in their water not the effect of the chemical itself. As humans we evolved to avoid food and drink with unusual tastes and smells for our protection. Should anyone consume water with a strange taste or odour? The answer is probably no, we expect our water to be pure, odourless and tasteless.
Dr Winston Morgan; Principal Lecturer in Toxicology University of East London.
Dr Morgan was interviewed about this matter by the Walthamstow Guardian. See Thames Water says contamination in drinking water has been reduced .
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