Different disinfectants produce different types or amounts of disinfection byproducts.
Disinfection byproducts for which regulations have been established have been identified in drinking water, including trihalomethanes , haloacetic acids , bromate , and chlorite . The standards for TTHM, HAA5, and bromate are annual averages. For chlorite, the standard is an average of a three samples taken at least monthly. Current disinfection methods used in water systems can inactivate pathogens, but can also form disinfection byproducts that may be harmful to human health. EPA's job in regulating disinfection byproducts is to develop requirements for water treatment that will both protect people from waterborne disease and the potential harmful effects of disinfection byproducts.