Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: Evaluation of the Efficacy of a New Secondary Disinfectant Formulation Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Silver and the Formulation of Disinfection By-Products Resulting From Interactions with Conventional Disinfectants
EPA Grant Number: R825362Title: Evaluation of the Efficacy of a New Secondary Disinfectant Formulation Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Silver and the Formulation of Disinfection By-Products Resulting From Interactions with Conventional Disinfectants
Investigators: Batterman, Stuart A. , Fattal, Badri , Shuval, Hillel , Warila, James , Zhang, Lianzhong , Lev, Ovadia , Wang, Shuqin , Mancy, Khalil H.
Institution: University of Michigan , Hebrew University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 15, 1997 through June 14, 2000 (Extended to June 14, 2001)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 15, 1998 through June 14, 1999
Project Amount: $594,346
RFA: Drinking Water (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Drinking Water
Objective:
The objectives of the research address two critical issues associated with the use of a new secondary disinfectant formulation utilizing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and silver (Ag+): (1) the efficacy of the formulation to provide long-term residual disinfection, including the control of coliform bacteria, bacterial regrowth, and slime/biofilm control; and (2) the identification and quantification of disinfection by-products (DBPs) that may result from interactions with conventional chlorine- and oxidant-based disinfectants. The research encompasses laboratory studies and field demonstrations to evaluate the effectiveness of the alternative disinfectant in a range of source waters and utility system characteristics. The secondary disinfectant is one of the few non-chlorine based disinfectants that can provide long-term residual disinfection in drinking water systems. By combining two or more disinfection agents, it may be possible to lower concentrations of each component, reduce exposures, minimize the formation of toxic and undesirable DBPs, and minimize the health risks associated with disinfection.The approach consists of three components: (1) laboratory evaluation of microbial disinfection efficacy, including optimal formulation of the secondary disinfectant and optimal doses of primary and secondary disinfectants; (2) laboratory evaluation of DBP formation resulting from interactions with various primary disinfectants; and (3) field demonstration of the disinfectant to provide "real world" results. These components are designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the microbial disinfection efficiency and DBP formation potential of the new disinfectant.
The research is developing information regarding long-term disinfection efficacy in different source waters and environmental and utility conditions. Effects on DBPs of the primary disinfectants and any new by-product formation are quantified, as are optimum dosages and pathogen inactivation. These results will be compared to the disinfection efficacy and DBP formation of conventional disinfectants. The research results will be suitable for use in exposure and risk assessments to support future policies and decisions regarding disinfection approaches.
Progress Summary:
The addition of the secondary disinfectant following the use of chlorine as a primary disinfectant produces very dramatic reductions in DBP formation (e.g., trihalomethanes [THMs] and haloacetic acids [HAAs]), an effect due to the reduction of chlorine to chloride by H2O2, which halts further reaction of chlorine with dissolved organic matter and other DBP precursors. When used with ozone, H2O2 also quenches formation of THMs and reduces, though not as strongly, formation of inorganic byproducts (e.g., bromate). These reductions result from several reactions that have been investigated in both empirical and mechanistic studies. The possible formation of aldehydes and other DBPs is being investigated. The reduction in DBPs resulting from the primary and secondary disinfectants applies to a wide range of temperatures, pH, bromide concentrations, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels.The inactivation performance of the combined disinfectant, its individual components, and a commercially available stabilized formulation of H2O2 and Ag+ have been evaluated for several bacteria and virus. Laboratory studies indicate that the combined disinfectant exhibits a synergistic action on the viability of E. coli, however, no increased virucidal action was observed. The biocidal action of the combination generally increased with higher temperature and pH, and decreased in secondary and tertiary effluents. The H2O2 component induced a wide array of stress responses and bacteria deficient in the ability to activate central cellular stress responses and were hypersensitive to both H2O2 and Ag+. These studies suggest that the combined disinfectant may be appropriate for use as long-term secondary residual disinfectant for relatively high quality water. However, further experiments examining biofilm prevention showed that the bacteria that survived after 48 hours disinfection had high catalase activity, hinting that the combined disinfectant may have limited effectiveness in continuous operation.
Widespread use of the combined disinfectant, if practical, might result in potential for uptake in fish and humans. An ecological model was constructed to simulate partitioning between water and sediment, uptake by algae, invertebrates, and fish (trout and carp), and risks to humans from fish consumption. Monte-Carlo simulations were used to represent the uncertainty and variability of input parameters. The modeling effort used a variety of scenarios, including "worst case" conditions in which receiving waters provided small amounts of dilution and subsistence fishers consumed large amounts of high trophic level feeders. Results suggest that risks are minimal under all likely scenarios.
Future Activities:
Year 3 activities will include further laboratory tests on disinfection efficacy of the new formulation, DPB formation potential, and a comparative analysis of candidate disinfectants. Investigations regarding the possibility of aldehyde species resulting from interactions with H2O2 and Ag+ are continuing. The inactivation performance evaluation studies will be continued, and field studies in Tel Aviv are being planned that will utilize a high quality tertiary effluent to simulate surface water.Journal Articles on this Report : 7 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 18 publications | 8 publications in selected types | All 8 journal articles |
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Armon R, Laot N, Lev O, Shuval H, Fattal B. Controlling biofilm formation by hydrogen peroxide and silver combined disinfectant. Water Science & Technology 2000;42(1-2):187-192. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Batterman S, Zhang L, Wang S. Quenching of chlorination disinfection by-product formation in drinking water by hydrogen peroxide. Water Research 2000;34(5):1652-1658. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Batterman S, Huang A-T, Wang S, Zhang L. Reduction of ingestion exposure to trihalomethanes due to volatilization. Environmental Science & Technology 2000;34(20):4418-4424. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Glezer V, Harris B, Tal N, Iosefzon B, Lev O. Hydrolysis of haloacetonitriles: LINEAR FREE ENERGY RELATIONSHIP, kinetics and products. Water Research 1999;33(8):1938-1948. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Liberti L, Lopez A, Notarnicola M, Barnea N, Pedahzur R, Fattal B. Comparison of advanced disinfecting methods for municipal wastewater reuse in agriculture. Water Science & Technology 2000;42(1-2):215-220. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Pedahzur R, Katzenelson D, Barnea N, Lev O, Shuval HI, Fattal B, Ulitzur S. The efficacy of long-lasting residual drinking water disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide and silver. Water Science & Technology 2000;42(1-2):293-298. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Warila J, Batterman S, Passino-Reader DR. A probabilistic model for silver bioaccumulation in aquatic systems and assessment of human health risks. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2001;20(2):432-441. |
R825362 (1999) R825362 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
drinking water, watersheds, exposure, risk, ecological effects, viruses, bacteria, pathogens, environmental chemistry, engineering., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, monitoring, alternative disinfection methods, microbial contamination, pathogens, public water systems, Silver, bacterial mutagen, microbiological organisms, exposure and effects, chemical byproducts, disinfection byproducts (DPBs), exposure, community water system, treatment, oxidant-based, chlorine-based disinfection, microbial risk management, emerging pathogens, DBP risk management, water quality, drinking water contaminants, water treatment, hydrogen peroxide, drinking water systemProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.