Occurrence of DBPs in Drinking Water of European Regions for Epidemiology Studies

2016 © American Water Works Association JOURNAL AWWA OCTOBER 2016 | 108:10 Water disinfection is one of the most important health advances, as millions of people worldwide receive quality drinking water every day from water systems (Calderon 2000). Chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, ozone, and ultraviolet irradiation are the most common disinfectants in use today; each produces its own suite of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water, with overlapping constituents, many of which are a health concern (Richardson et al. 2007). A number of parameters during treatment and in distribution affect DBP concentrations in drinking water. Factors affecting DBP production in water include bromide content and the type and quantity of the natural organic matter (Krasner et al. 1996). During treatment, factors that affect the type and levels of DBPs formed include the treatment practices used, the water pH and temperature, the type and dose of disinfectants used, and the point in the treatment process at which the disinfectant is added (Krasner 2001). These all can have major effects on the formation of different DBP classes and their levels (Krasner et al. 2006, Richardson 2003). DBP classes include trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), haloacetonitriles (HANs), haloketones, halonitromethanes, haloamides, halogenated furanones, and non halogenated carbonyls; to date more than 600 DBPs have been reported in the literature for the major disinfectants used (Richardson et al. 2000, Richardson 1998). In the United States, extensive surveys have been carried out to assess the occurrence of a wide range of DBPs A three-year study was conducted on the occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs)—trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), and haloacetonitriles—in drinking water of regions of Europe where epidemiology studies were being carried out. Thirteen systems in six countries (i.e., Italy, France, Greece, Lithuania, Spain, United Kingdom) were sampled. Typically chlorinated DBPs dominated. However, in most of Catalonia (Spain) and in Heraklion (Greece), brominated DBPs dominated. The degree of bromine incorporation into the DBP classes was in general similar among them. This is important, as brominated DBPs are a greater health concern. In parts of Catalonia, the reported levels of tribromoacetic acid were higher than in other parts of the world. In some regions, the levels of HAAs tended to be peaked in concentration in a different time period than when the levels of THMs peaked. In most epidemiology studies, THMs are used as a surrogate for other halogenated DBPs. This study provides exposure assessment information for epidemiology studies. Occurrence of DBPs in Drinking Water of European Regions for Epidemiology Studies