Abstract |
Chlorine, the most common drinking water disinfectant in the United States, is effective for killing harmful microorganisms, but it produces a few disinfection byproducts (DBPs) about which health concerns have been raised. Among the more predominant chlorination DBPs are trihalomethanes (TMHs), and one of these TMHs--chloroform--has been linked to cancer in test animals. To identify DBPs, a multispectral analysis approach is used that incorporates gas chromatography coupled with high resolution electron impact mass spectroscopy, chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Each component technique provides different types of information. The multispectral approach will be applied to identify DBPs of disinfectant processes employing chlorine dioxide, ozone, monochloramine, and other alternative disinfectants. (Copyright (c) 1994 Today's Chemist at Work.) |