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Hypochlorous acid-activated carbon: an oxidizing agent capable of producing hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls

Journal Article · · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.866997· OSTI ID:5777053

Granular activated carbon (GAC), in the presence of dilute aqueous hypochlorite solutions typical of those used in water treatment, was converted to a reagent capable of carrying out free-radical coupling reactions and other oxidations of dilute aqueous solutions of phenols. The products included biphenyls with chlorine and hydroxyl substitution (hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls). For example, 2,4-dichlorophenol, a common constituent of waste waters and also natural waters treated with hypochlorite, was converted to 3,5,5'trichloro-2,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl and several related compounds in significant amounts. It is possible that these products pose more of a health hazard than either the starting phenols or the unhydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl derivatives.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
OSTI ID:
5777053
Journal Information:
Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN EVHPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English