Body Fluid Analogues and Personal Care Products as Potential DBP Precursors

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as organic chloramines, THMs, HAAs, and nitrosamines, are formed during mandatory disinfection processes in drinking water treatment. Many of these DBPs have been shown to be potentially carcinogenic. Extensive research has been conducted on the occurrence and formation of these DBPs. However, there has been limited research on their relationships with each other, which may be important for the understanding of their formation mechanisms, and the nature of their precursors is still relatively unknown. Ultimately, this information will be key for the development of possible improvements in treatment technologies. Results of this study improve the understanding of DBP formation in swimming pool water. Some BFAs and PCP additives were identified as potential DBP precursors. Influence of BFAs and PCP additives on DBP formation in swimming pool water was also illustrated. Results provided feasible strategies to minimize DBP formation while maintaining the efficiency of disinfection.MAS