A critical analysis of potential formation and health risk of disinfection by products in drinking water

Abstract

The reaction between chlorine and organic matter in water treatment processes formed a new product called disinfection by products (DBPs). Natural organic matter is the main precursor of the DBPs formation. Trihalomethanes as the most found DBPs in drinking water and N-Nitrosamine as one of kind DBPs from contaminated water. Those compounds are predicted to be carcinogenic for human being. This critical analysis goal is to investigate the potential formation of DBPs in water treatment and analysis the potential health risk to find the best strategies for reducing the DBPs formation. It presents a comprehensive literature review of research to understand the formation of DBPs especially Trihalomethanes and N-Nitrosamine in water treatment. Then investigation the health risk potential of trihalomethanes an N-Nitrosamine. Trihalomethanes always formed during the disinfection process. Trihalomethanes have the high can endanger human health because of the potential of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and lead to toxicity. N-Nitrosamine generally come in a lower concentration than Trihalomethanes but give higher health risk. Establish DBPs concentration limits is very important to protect the health of humans who consume water. Prevention of the formation of DBPs compounds by removing organic precursors in the water and adding advanced treatment after the disinfection process.