Case report
Heterogeneous dermatitis complaints after change in drinking water treatment: a case report
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* Corresponding author: June M Weintraub june.weintraub@sfdph.org
- † Equal contributors
Occupational and Environmental Health Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1390 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2006, 5:18 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-5-18
Published: 9 June 2006Abstract
Background
The disinfectant monochloramine minimizes the formation of potentially hazardous and regulated byproducts, and many drinking water utilities are shifting to its use.
Case presentation
After a drinking water utility serving 2.4 million people switched to monochloramine for residual disinfection, a small number of residents complained of dermatitis reactions. We interviewed 17 people about their symptoms. Skin appearance, symptoms, and exposures were heterogeneous. Five respondents had history of hives or rash that preceded the switch to monochloramine.
Conclusion
The complaints described were heterogeneous, and many of the respondents had underlying or preexisting conditions that would offer plausible alternative explanations for their symptoms. We did not recommend further study of these complaints.