A class of amines, chloramines are produced when ammonia and chlorine (as
hypochlorous acid) react with each other.
Chloramine is increasingly used in water treatment plants rather than
chlorine, as chloramine is much more stable and will not dissipate from water,
ensuring disinfection until it reaches the consumers. In chloramine water
treatment, monochloramine (NH2Cl) is formed by adding chlorine and ammonia under
controlled conditions. In chlorine water treatment, a combination of inorganic
chloramines is formed as disinfection by-products, also referred to as combined
chlorine residuals.
Chloramines in air are strong respiratory irritants.
