Evaluation of military field-water quality: Volume 2, Constituents of military concern from natural and anthropogenic sources: Part 1, Organic chemical contaminants
In this part of Volume 2 we focus on the identification and analysis of organic water contaminants that could degrade the performance of military personnel that drink field water. To identify the contaminants of concern, we developed a screening methodology for comparing measured concentrations of organic solutes in US and foreign surface and ground waters against estimated threshold concentrations for toxic and organoleptic effects. If the measured concentration of a substance in water was higher than the concentration used as an effects threshold for toxic or organoleptic responses, we then closely examined the substance's occurrence and toxicity to decide on recommending development of a water standard to protect military personnel from adverse health effects. After comparing the measured concentrations with the threshold concentrations for toxic or organoleptic effects, we concluded that there was only a small probability that troops would experience performance-degrading effects as a result of drinking field water containing organic solutes. However, we identified several organic solutes that could cause taste and odor problems. These compounds include trichloromethane, ethylbenzene, toluene, tetrachloroethene, and chlorinated phenols. Additionally, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, which are two metabolites of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and associated gram-negative filamentous bacteria (actinomycetes), can produce taste and odor problems and are of particular concern, especially when algal blooms are present. Oil and grease could also impair the potability of water supplies, and by fouling reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes, oil and grease could impair the performance of reverse osmosis water purification units (ROWPUs). 30 refs., 5 figs., 17 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6704127
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-21008-Vol.2-Pt.1; ON: DE89002654
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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MILITARY PERSONNEL
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EVALUATION
CONTAMINATION
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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
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