Do DBPs have harmful health effects? According to EPA, some people who drink water containing TTHM or HAA5 in excess of the established MCLs over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Most DBPs are potential human carcinogens and mutagens, often linked to rectal and colon cancers, as well as developmental and reproductive disorders8. Research on drinking water DBPs in China indicates that THMs and HAAs are the most prevalent DBPs formed during chlorination and other disinfection processes9,10.
Some of the chemical disinfectants are irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. The highly corrosive disinfectants could inflict serious damage if they come into contact with the skin or eyes. The airborne disinfectants would also cause respiratory problems if used in poorly ventilated areas.
Disinfection by-products (DBPs), including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), have attracted attention due to their carcinogenic properties, leading to varying conclusions. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the dose-response relationship and the dose-dependent effect of DBPs on cancer risk.
The predominant byproducts that result from use of chlorine as a disinfectant are trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane) and haloacetic acids (monochloro-, dichloro-, trichloro-, monobromo-, dibromo-).
DBPs are generally formed by the reaction of disinfectants such as chlorine with organic precursors present in source water; these organic precursors are mainly called natural organic matter (NOM) and NOM acts as a forerunner to DBPs.
Scientists have identified hundreds of DBPs. Several types of DBPs have limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), chlorite, and bromate.
Formaldehyde is a disinfectant byproduct of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone because they are oxidizing agents.
Unfortunately, most cleaning products on the market today are still a black box of chemicals, some of which are known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, asthma and other serious health effects.
The following disinfectants are likely to cause asth- ma: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, quaternary am- monium compounds, chlorhexidine and alkyla- mines. Cases of asthma often occur in workers performing disinfection tasks where the product is applied by spraying [4].
Disinfection is the process of removing micro-organisms, including potentially pathogenic ones, from the surfaces of inanimate objects. From: Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, 1998.
Causes skin irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
The Environmental Protection Agency has set national legal limits of 80 parts per billion, or ppb, for total trihalomethanes, and 60 ppb for the five haloacetic acids.
Published reports have revealed increased risk of colorectal cancers in people exposed to chlorinated drinking water or chemical derivatives of chlorination.
Disinfection Byproducts that TCEQ Regulates
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are chemicals that form during drinking water treatment and distribution when naturally occurring organic matter reacts with chlorine or other disinfectants used to kill pathogenic organisms.
Ethyl alcohol, at concentrations of 60%–80%, is a potent virucidal agent inactivating all of the lipophilic viruses (e.g., herpes, vaccinia, and influenza virus) and many hydrophilic viruses (e.g., adenovirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, and rotaviruses but not hepatitis A virus (HAV) 58 or poliovirus) 49.
While drinking water disinfection has effectively prevented waterborne diseases, an unintended consequence is the generation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Epidemiological studies have consistently observed an association between consumption of chlorinated drinking water with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Disinfection by-products are reactive and potentially carcinogenic chemical substances that are formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in drinking water.
Chlorine remaining in the water supply, or added after disinfection is first accomplished, is available to fight against potential contamination in water distribution and storage systems that might enter through leaks and pipe breakages. This is called secondary disinfection.
According to US EPA < 2 mg/L as TOC in treated / drinking water, and < 4 mg/Lit in source water which is use for treatment.
Not only do the reverse osmosis systems remove THMs but also remove other contaminants such as chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticides, chloramines, etc., making them an ideal choice for most homeowners.