Occurrence of by-products of strong oxidants reacting with drinking water contaminants--scope of the problem

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3430368· OSTI ID:6577533

Rice, R G; Gomez-Taylor, M

This paper describes results of a detailed literature review of the organic and inorganic by-products that have been identified as being formed in aqueous solution with four of the strong oxidizing/disinfecting agents commonly employed in drinking water treatment. These agents are: chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramine, and ozone. Significant findings include the production of similar nonchlorinated organic oxidation products from chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone. In addition, all three chlorinous oxidants/disinfectants can produce chlorinated by-products under certain conditions. The presence of chloronitrile compounds in drinking waters is indicated to arise from reactions of chlorine or chloramine to amine/amide functions in amino acids or proteinaceous materials, followed by dehydrohalogenation. These nitriles could hydrolyze to produce the corresponding chloroacetic acids. It is concluded that to minimize the presence of oxidation by-products in drinking waters, the concentrations of oxidizable organic/inorganic impurities should be lowered before any oxidizing agent is added. 72 references.

• Research Organization: Rice International Consulting Enterprises, Ashton, MD
• OSTI ID: 6577533
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States); ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMINES
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BY-PRODUCTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORAMINES
CHLORINE
CONTAMINATION
DISINFECTANTS
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRINKING WATER
ELEMENTS
GERMICIDES
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MIXTURES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
REDOX REACTIONS
REVIEWS
SOLUTIONS
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER SUPPLY