Full Description

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) has long been acknowledged as the principalreservoir of organic precursors to disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Because NOMstructures are not well defined, most DBP research has focused on the easilyidentifiable end products (e.g., the trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids). Toxicologicalevidence suggests that other, as yet unidentified, DBPs are responsible for most of theadverse human health effects attributed to disinfection. There are indications thatnitrogenous compounds may play a key role in these effects, especially the elevatedlevels of bladder cancer. The purpose of this ongoing research is to identify precursorsand end product DBPs that are likely to be responsible for some of the keycarcinogenic hazards of chlorination. This includes a careful analysis of the literature,as well as some laboratory studies using model nitrogenous precursors. Conditionswere used so as to be consistent with accepted DBP testing methodology. Followingthe desired chlorine contact period, samples were preserved as needed and analyzed formajor DBPs (THMs, HAAs, etc.), total organic halides (TOX), and other unregulatedbyproducts. Using these data, full degradation pathways were proposed. Includes 14 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/15/2004 Number of Pages: 20 File Size: 1 file , 580 KB