Singlet molecular oxygen evolution upon simple acidification of aqueous hypochlorite: Application to studies on the deleterious health effects of chlorinated drinking water

Journal Article · Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.91.26.12362· OSTI ID:6700642

Khan, A U ^[1]; Kasha, M ^[2]

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1. Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States)
2. Florida State Univ., Tallahassee, FL (United States)

A study of the pH profile of the decomposition of aqueous hypochlorite has revealed the evolution (onset at pH 8) of single ([sup 1][Delta][sub g]) molecular oxygen (singlet spin state dioxygen) detected spectroscopically (1268 nm), prior to the appearance of chlorine (onset at pH 5.5). The possible mechanism of the singlet state dioxygen evolution is presented, and the origin of its chloride ion dependence is discussed, especially in reference to chloride ion dependence of singlet molecular oxygen evolution in biological systems. Recent epidemiological analyses of the correlation of human cancer with chlorinated water supplies focus attention on the singlet oxygen mechanisms of DNA lesion formation. 25 refs., 2 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG05-87ER60517
• OSTI ID: 6700642
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; (United States), Vol. 91:26; ISSN 0027-8424
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHLORINE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DRINKING WATER
CHLORINATION
OXYGEN
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATION
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
WATER
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology