Some Millbrae and Hayward residents have said for months a drinking water disinfectant has been the cause of everything from skin rashes to cancer, but a statement released Thursday from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission refuted those claims.
Chloramine, a mixture of chlorine and ammonia, is a safe alternative to chlorine when disinfecting public drinking water, the statement said.
The SFPUC, which supplies water to San Mateo County from water diverted from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, switched from chlorine to chloramine in February 2004, and cities like Denver have used it for decades.
The California Conference of Local Health Officers looked at the available health literature on chloramine, and the SFPUC relied on its conclusions to deem it safe.
"This should allay any health concerns residents may have about the very fine quality water that is produced and delivered to our customers in San Francisco and throughout our service area," said Susan Leal, the SFPUC general manager, in the statement.
Chloramine opponents were not convinced.
"The fact is the PUC has been poisoning us for years," said Wynn Grcich, a hair stylist who works in Millbrae.
She said chloramine has been the cause of cancer in her customers and friends.
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